The moderating effect of parenthood in the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and lateral preference in Israeli reserve combat troops
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Ritov, G., & Barnetz, Z. (2013). The moderating effect of parenthood in the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and lateral preference in Israeli reserve combat troops. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 201(8), 703–705. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e31829db5d4
Abstract Created by REACH:
147 male Israeli Defense Forces reserve combat personnel participated in a study examining the relationship between PTSD and lateral preference (handedness) in those with and without children. The relationship between PTSD symptoms and lateral preference differed between those with and without children. Military personnel who were not parents had higher PTSD scores than those with children.
Focus:
Children
Deployment
Mental health
Parents
Branch of Service:
International Military
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Military families
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Methodology:
Empirical Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Ritov, Gilad, Barnetz, Zion
Abstract:
The present study examined the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lateral preference, as reflected by handedness, in Israeli reserve combat troops. Data were gathered from 147 right-handed reserve combat personnel who filled out the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, a questionnaire examining the severity of PTSD symptoms according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria and a questionnaire on the details of military service and familial status. The participants without children exhibited significantly more PTSD symptoms compared with the participants with children but did not differ in lateral preference levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed an altered pattern in the relationship between PTSD symptoms severity and lateral preference between the two groups. This alternation could suggest that being a parent might compel a reservist to inhibit the use of avoidance mechanisms for coping with intrusive memories, resulting in reduction of visible symptoms of PTSD while respectively contributing to their synchronization to lateral preference.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Institute for the Study of Affective Neuroscience, Haifa University, GR
Department of Human Service, Max Stern Academic College of Emek Yezreel, ZB
Keywords:
parenthood, posttraumatic stress disorder, disease symptoms, handedness, combat personnel, lateral preferences
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary