Carol MacDonald

Race, Combat, and PTSD in a Community Sample of New Zealand Vietnam War Veterans

The association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), combat exposure, and race was examined in a New Zealand community sample of 756 Vietnam War veterans. Maori veterans reported higher levels of PTSD than their non-Maori counterparts. However, the race effect was shown to be mediated by combat exposure level, rank, and combat role. These findings support differential experience explanations for the relationship between postwar adjustment and race, suggesting that higher levels of psychological symptoms reported by minority group veterans can be accounted for by their experience of higher levels of combat stressors.

Traumatic events and physical health in a New Zealand community sample

Traumatic event exposure and physical health were examined in a community-residing sample of 1,500 New Zealand adults. Half (51%) reported past traumatic event exposure, 9% reported recent (past 12 months) trauma exposure, and 40% reported no exposure. After adjusting for gender, ethnic, and age differences, those experiencing crime and accident trauma exhibited significantly deteriorated physical health, as measured by current physical symptoms, chronic medical conditions, and chronic limitations in daily functioning. Further research is required to assess the influence of traumatic events on the physical health among adults from other countries, and to evaluate the factors that may mediate or moderate this relationship for different subgroups of the New Zealand population. Limitations of this study are outlined.

Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression and Anxiety in a Community Sample of New Zealand Vietnam War Veterans

Objective: The aim of the paper is to investigate the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety in a community sample of New Zealand Vietnam War veterans. Method: Data were collected as part of a national survey on the health and mental health of New Zealand Vietnam veterans. Five hundred and seventy-three randomly selected male Vietnam veterans participated in a postal survey. The questionnaire contained a number of demographic, biographical and psychological measures. Results: The results revealed that 10% of the veterans could be classified as PTSD cases and that these veterans exhibited high levels of depression and anxiety. In PTSD cases, 15% were also classified with anxiety, 6% with depression, and 73% were classified with both anxiety and depression. In PTSD cases 94% were classified with more than one additional disorder. In non-PTSD cases 27% were classified with anxiety, and 1% with depression, while 12% experienced both anxiety and depression. Conclusions: The consequences of comorbidity for research and treatment are discussed and it is suggested that health professionals should be attentive to military experience as a predictor of these disorders.

Cyclone bola: A study of the psychological after-effects

Abstract The present study investigated long-term psychological effects of Cyclone Bola, which struck the East Coast of New Zealands North Island in March, 1988. Using mailed self-report questionnaires, data was collected from 118 individuals who had been evacuated from their homes during Cyclone Bola, and/or who applied for financial aid following the disaster. The study found that, five years after the cyclone, 12% of respondents could be classified as post-traumatic stress disorder cases and 17% were classified with high psychological distress scores. The relationship between these psychological outcomes and various risk factors was examined. High post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological distress scores were significantly related to higher mean levels of emotional distress at the time of the disaster, and to greater dissatisfaction with both post-disaster assistance and social support.

Stress and mental health status associated with peacekeeping duty for New Zealand defence force personnel

This article presents findings from a longitudinal study investigating the psychological impact of peacekeeping duties on 277 New Zealand Defence Force personnel. Mental health and stressor experience data are presented for four stages of deployment from prior to the deployment to approximately 6 months after service personnel returned to New Zealand. The findings of this study support previous research which shows that while the incidence of reported psychiatric disorders is very low among peacekeeping personnel, peacekeeping duty does impact upon the mental health status of the personnel involved. For the peacekeepers in this study the most stressful periods appeared to be the preparation and follow-up stages of the deployment. The personnel reported higher anxiety, psychological distress and deployment-related hassles prior to departure, and higher anxiety, psychological distress and lower positive psychological well-being several months after their return to New Zealand. The results also showed that the most important predictor of the overall mental health status of these personnel, across all four stages, was level of current stress.

Traumatic Events and Mental Health in the Community: A New Zealand Study

Background: Adverse mental health effects in response to a variety of distressing events in specific populations are well documented. However, comparatively little research has been conducted within large community samples outside North America. Aims: To assess the prevalence and psychological impact of specific traumatic events in a New Zealand community sample. Methods: Prevalence and psychological impact of 12 traumatic events was examined in a community sample of 1,500 New Zealand adults using a three-stage cluster sampling method. Traumatic events, psychological distress, psychological well-being, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were assessed using modifi ed versions of the Traumatic Stress Schedule, Mental Health Inventory, and Civilian Mississippi Scale. The effects of age, gender and ethnicity were controlled for while assessing impact of traumatic events. Results: Sixty-one per cent of the sample experienced trauma events in their lifetime, with 9% experiencing events in the past year. Accident-related events were most common in the present sample. Violent crime produced the greatest impact. Tests of interactions involving age, gender, and ethnicity were not significant. Conclusions: New Zealand community-residing individuals experience post-traumatic stress symptoms, reduced psychological well-being, and increased psychological distress following the experience of violent crime and accidents specifically. Study limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.

The impact of childhood sexual abuse on psychological distress among women in New Zealand.

PROBLEMS In order to better understand the long-term impact of child sex abuse, this study examined the association between womens experience of abuse, health symptoms, and psychological distress in adulthood. There is limited information about child abuse outside the United States. METHODS Nine hundred sixty-one women participated in a structured interview. RESULTS Participants who had experienced abuse (13%) were significantly more vulnerable to psychological distress in adulthood if they were younger, less satisfied with their standard of living, and resided in urban areas. CONCLUSION Dissemination and evaluation of therapies for the treatment of sex abuse in the New Zealand context is warranted.