The Effects of Resilience and Self-Compassion on Symptoms of Stress and Growth Resulting from Combat Exposure in Service Members

• Main Author: Raiche, Emily
• Other Authors: Riggs, Shelley A.
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2017
• Subjects: military; veteran; PTSD; PTG; resilience; self-compassion; Veterans > Mental health > United States.; Combat > Psychological aspects.; Post-traumatic stress disorder.; Posttraumatic growth.; Resilience (Personality trait); Compassion.; Self-acceptance.
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc984272/

The current study examined the impact of resilience and self-compassion on the relationship between combat exposure and psychological outcomes, specifically post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth. Service members and veterans with combat exposure (N = 143) completed an online survey, through which they were administered a Background Questionnaire, the Combat Exposure Scale, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Self-Compassion Scale. Results of a path analysis revealed a positive direct effect of combat exposure on post-traumatic stress symptoms and post-traumatic growth and a negative direct effect of self-compassion on post-traumatic stress symptoms. Furthermore, self-compassion moderated the relationship between combat exposure and post-traumatic growth. Implications of these findings and future directions for research are discussed.