Combat Stress Reactions During Military Deployments: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Combat Stress Control Treatment

Abstract

Few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of mental health treatments for the combat stress reactions of military service members treated in deployed locations. The present pilot investigation is the first report on the effectiveness of a Combat Stress Control (CSC) unit treatment for deployed service members. Thirty-eight United States military personnel (33 men and 5 women) completed a 2-day CSC unit program at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The program included individual and group treatments to reduce the symptoms of combat operational stress reactions and to improve coping strategies, stress management skills, and interpersonal relationships. Measures used included the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45) and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military version (PCL-M). The study found significant decreases on the OQ-45 and the PCL-M. These results provide preliminary data to support the use of CSC units to treat combat operational stress reactions in the field.