Negative affect predicts posttraumatic stress symptoms in Brazilian volunteer United Nations peacekeepers in Haiti

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2008 Nov;196(11):852-5. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e31818b4682.

Abstract

Our study evaluated the relationship between positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA) traits on the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among peacekeepers. A longitudinal study with 138 army personnel deployed to a peacekeeping mission in Haiti was conducted. An instrument for measuring PA and NA traits was used before deployment. PTSS, indexed by posttraumatic stress disorder Checklist--Military Version (PCL-M) and frequency of stressful situations were measured after return. Regression analysis showed that both NA and number of stressful situations contributed toward increasing PCL-M scores (Adjusted R = 0.25; p < 0.001). We also found that NA traits interact with intensively stressful situations enhancing the occurrence of PTSS (Adjusted R = 0.32; p < 0.001). These findings suggest that NA traits are an important predictor for PTSS among peacekeepers and also worsen the consequences of being exposed to stressful situations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affective Symptoms / diagnosis*
  • Affective Symptoms / epidemiology
  • Affective Symptoms / psychology
  • Brazil
  • Character
  • Combat Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Combat Disorders / epidemiology
  • Combat Disorders / psychology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Haiti
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Military Personnel / psychology*
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychometrics
  • Risk Factors
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • United Nations*
  • Volunteers / psychology*
  • Volunteers / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult