How Do Changes in Social Support Affect PTSD Symptoms in Military Personnel?

What you need to know

• Decreases in social support after military deployment are linked to higher risk of PTSD symptoms
• Support from family and friends plays a key role in mental health after deployment
• Maintaining strong social connections during and after deployment may help protect against PTSD

The Critical Role of Social Support

Imagine returning home after months of military deployment, only to find that your relationships with family and friends have changed. This scenario is all too common for military personnel, and research shows it can have serious implications for their mental health. While we’ve long known that social support is important for psychological wellbeing, less understood is how changes in social support over time affect the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.

Understanding the Research

This study followed Danish military personnel deployed to Afghanistan, examining their perceived social support before deployment and 2.5 years after returning home. The researchers looked at overall social support as well as support from specific sources - family, friends, and significant others. They also measured PTSD symptoms at both timepoints.

The key finding was that decreases in social support over this period were strongly linked to higher levels of PTSD symptoms. This was true both for overall social support and for support from specific sources like family and friends.

The Impact of Declining Support

When soldiers experienced a decline in social support after deployment, they were about twice as likely to develop moderate PTSD symptoms and nearly three times more likely to develop severe symptoms. This suggests that maintaining strong social connections during the transition back to civilian life is crucial for mental health.

Interestingly, it wasn’t just the absolute level of support that mattered - it was the change in support over time. Even soldiers who started with high levels of social support before deployment were at increased risk for PTSD if that support diminished after their return.

The Different Sources of Support

The study found that changes in support from family and friends were particularly important. While support from significant others (like romantic partners) also played a role, its impact wasn’t as strong for moderate PTSD symptoms. This suggests that having a diverse network of support - not just relying on one person or group - may be most beneficial.

What This Means for You

If you’re a service member, veteran, or family member, these findings highlight several important points:

• Stay connected during deployment through whatever means available
• Make conscious efforts to maintain relationships after returning home
• Don’t rely solely on one person for support - cultivate multiple supportive relationships
• Be aware that changes in social support can affect mental health, and seek help if needed
• Family members and friends should strive to maintain consistent support for deployed loved ones

Conclusions

• Changes in social support over time may be more important than initial support levels in determining PTSD risk
• Multiple sources of support (family, friends, significant others) each play important roles in mental health
• Active efforts to maintain social connections during and after deployment may help protect against PTSD symptoms