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Volume 18, Issue 4 (2026)
Iran J War Public Health 2026, 18(4): 1001-1014 |
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Received: 2026/09/18 | Accepted: 2026/10/25 | Published: 2026/10/30
Received: 2026/09/18 | Accepted: 2026/10/25 | Published: 2026/10/30
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Ahmadi K, Shahsavaripour F. Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms and Posttraumatic Growth in Iranian Veterans and Civilians with Spinal Cord Injury An Exploratory Comparative Cross Sectional Study. , Iran J War Public Health. 2026; 18 (4) :1001-1014
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Kh. Ahmadi *1, F. Shahsavaripour
1- , kh_ahmady@yahoo.com
Abstract (310 Views)
Aims: Spinal cord injury (SCI) may be accompanied by persistent posttraumatic stress symptoms and perceived posttraumatic growth (PTG). Veterans and civilians may differ in trauma exposure, time since injury, and access to support. This study compared these outcomes and selected psychosocial characteristics in Iranian men with SCI.
Methods: An exploratory comparative cross-sectional study included 49 married men in Tehran, Iran, comprising 29 veterans and 20 civilians. Data were collected using the 17-item DSM-IV PTSD Checklist, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, 75-item Young Schema Questionnaire–Short Form, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), WHOQOL-BREF, and Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory. Independent-samples t tests and multivariate analyses of variance were used for unadjusted comparisons.
Results: Veterans were older (52.93 versus 45.80 years) and had a longer injury duration (31.72 versus 11.20 years). PTSD symptom scores were lower in veterans (39.55 ± 14.98 versus 45.90 ± 11.15), but the difference was not statistically significant, t(47) = −1.611, p = .114. PTG scores were nearly identical (70.83 ± 15.94 versus 71.25 ± 20.35), t(47) = −0.081, p = .935. Exploratory secondary analyses indicated lower disconnection/rejection and impaired autonomy/performance scores in veterans. Veterans also had lower GHQ-28 scores, indicating less psychological distress. Quality of life and spiritual intelligence did not differ significantly in the individual outcome comparisons.
Conclusions: The study did not establish a difference in PTSD symptoms or PTG between the groups. Secondary differences in schemas and psychological distress warrant further investigation. Small, unequal groups and substantial differences in age and injury duration limit interpretation.
Methods: An exploratory comparative cross-sectional study included 49 married men in Tehran, Iran, comprising 29 veterans and 20 civilians. Data were collected using the 17-item DSM-IV PTSD Checklist, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, 75-item Young Schema Questionnaire–Short Form, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), WHOQOL-BREF, and Spiritual Intelligence Self-Report Inventory. Independent-samples t tests and multivariate analyses of variance were used for unadjusted comparisons.
Results: Veterans were older (52.93 versus 45.80 years) and had a longer injury duration (31.72 versus 11.20 years). PTSD symptom scores were lower in veterans (39.55 ± 14.98 versus 45.90 ± 11.15), but the difference was not statistically significant, t(47) = −1.611, p = .114. PTG scores were nearly identical (70.83 ± 15.94 versus 71.25 ± 20.35), t(47) = −0.081, p = .935. Exploratory secondary analyses indicated lower disconnection/rejection and impaired autonomy/performance scores in veterans. Veterans also had lower GHQ-28 scores, indicating less psychological distress. Quality of life and spiritual intelligence did not differ significantly in the individual outcome comparisons.
Conclusions: The study did not establish a difference in PTSD symptoms or PTG between the groups. Secondary differences in schemas and psychological distress warrant further investigation. Small, unequal groups and substantial differences in age and injury duration limit interpretation.
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