Preexisting neuroticism, subjective stressor severity, and posttraumatic stress in soldiers deployed to Iraq

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the extent to which preexisting neuroticism confounds the relation between appraisals of the severity of major and minor stressors and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Method: A sample of 383 Dutch army soldiers completed a neuroticism scale before their 4-month tour of duty in Iraq. About 5 months after deployment, most of them rated the severity of stressors on deployment. PTSD symptoms were also assessed. Results: Appraisal of major stressors in Iraq was significantly related to PTSD symptoms and was, for the most part, independent of neuroticism. However, the strength of the association between minor stressors and PTSD symptoms dropped by 31% after statistical control for neuroticism. Conclusion: Neuroticism may partly compromise the relation between perceived minor stressors and PTSD symptoms.