Stability of Combat Exposure Recall in Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans

Abstract

This study evaluates changes in recall of combat exposures over the first year after return from deployment. The research purpose is to assess whether recall of combat exposures is consistent at different time points; if not, what demographic and/or PTSD symptom risk factors exist for any directional instability. Surveys completed by soldiers at 3, 6, and 12 months post-Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deployment were linked for longitudinal analysis in a previous study in which three matched datasets were created: 3-6 months (N = 768), 6-12 months (N = 341), and 3-12 months (N = 445). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was assessed by using the National Center for PTSD Checklist. The reliability of recall for 36 combat exposures was quantified. The effects of demographics and change in PTSD score on combat exposure recall were assessed. The results showed an average of 80% to 90% agreement in combat exposure reporting between the time points. Every one-unit change in PTSD score was associated with a 0.1- to 0.5-unit change in recall of combat exposures over time. This study demonstrates that over the first year after return from deployment to Iraq, recall of combat experiences remained stable, and PTSD was slightly associated with increased reporting of combat exposures over time.