Combat Exposure and Postdeployment Aggression: The Mediating Effects of Posttraumatic Stress, Negative Emotion, and Postdeployment Stressors

Combat Exposure and Postdeployment Aggression: The Mediating Effects of Posttraumatic Stress, Negative Emotion, and Postdeployment Stressors

The present study tested the intervening effects of Negative emotion and postdeployment stressors on the relationship of combat exposure and posttraumatic stress (PTS) to aggression. Hypothesized relationships were examined using survey data obtained from a sample of National Guard soldiers (N=4,546). Results of structural equation modeling showed the strongest paths going from combat exposure and PTS, specifically, re-experiencing deployment events, to postdeployment Negative emotion to aggressive behaviors. Both re-experiencing deployment and Negative emotion showed a smaller direct effect on postdeployment aggression. Implications of findings for screening and treatment of soldiers having PTS and negative emotional states are discussed.