Smith, B. N., Vaughn, R. A., Vogt, D., King, D. W., King, L. A., & Shipherd, J. C. (2013). Main and interactive effects of social support in predicting mental health symptoms in men and women following military stressor exposure. Anxiety, Stress, & Coping, 26(1), 52-69. doi:10.1080/10615806.2011.634001

Survey data of Marine recruits were used to examine the role of social support (from both within and outside of the military unit) in predicting mental health symptoms in the context of exposure to military stressors. Military social support acted as a buffer between the stressfulness of the training experience and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Military social support was associated with lower levels of mental health symptoms among men, while civilian social support was related to lower symptoms among women.

10.1080/10615806.2011.634001

Deployment
Mental health

Marine Corps

Active Duty

Active duty service member

Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)

Empirical Study
Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study

Smith, Brian N., Vaughn, Rachel A., Vogt, Dawne, King, Daniel W., King, Lynda A., Shipherd, Jillian C.

Evidence across a multitude of contexts indicates that social support is associated with reduced risk for mental health symptoms. More information is needed on the effectiveness of different sources of support, as well as sex differences in support. Associations between social support from two sources – the military unit and friends and family – and mental health symptoms were examined in a study of 1571 Marine recruits assessed at the beginning and end of a highly stressful 13-week training program. Military social support buffered the stressor exposure–posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS) relationship, whereas the relationship between stressor exposure and PTSS was highest when civilian social support was high. Further inspection of the interactions revealed that military support was most important at high levels of stressor exposure. Sex differences in the relationship between social support and symptoms were found, such that support from military peers was associated with lower levels of PTSS for men, whereas civilian support was associated with lower PTSS for women. While civilian social support was associated with lower levels of depression symptom severity in both women and men, the relationship was stronger for women. Reviewed implications focus on the importance of considering the recipient, source, and context of social support.

Taylor & Francis

Article
REACH Publication

Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, BNS
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, RAV
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, DV
Department of Psychology, Boston University, DWK
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, LAK
Women's Health Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, JCS