Paul T. Bartone

Psychometric properties of the Norwegian Impact of Event Scale-Revised in a non-clinical sample

Background: Despite the widespread use of the Impact of Event Scale to measure post-traumatic stress symptoms, psychometric evaluations of the scale have revealed mixed findings. Aim: The aim of the present study is to provide new empirical evidence and examine the factor structure, reliability, and predictive validity of the Norwegian version of the IES-R. Methods: Posttraumatic stress symptoms were recorded in a student sample (n=312) 3 weeks after the Southeast Asian tsunami disaster in December 2004. Confirmatory factor analyses of the IES-R behavior items using structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed on four models from existing research. Results: The original three-factor model of intrusion, avoidance and hyperarousal symptoms exhibited the best goodness-of-fit indices when defined as oblique. The IES-R also revealed satisfactory reliability. Symptom levels of intrusion and avoidance were moderate, while hyperarousal scores were low, with a significant gender difference. Conclusion: Taken together, the IES-R revealed good psychometric properties in this nonclinical student sample and could be a useful instrument to assess and follow-up on PTSD symptoms after a certain identified trauma.

Psychological Hardiness and Avoidance Coping Are Related to Risky Alcohol Use in Returning Combat Veterans

This study examines psychological hardiness and avoidance coping as predictors of risk for alcohol abuse in military personnel following war-zone deployment. U.S. Army soldiers returning from Afghanistan completed questionnaire surveys during their first week home, and again seven to nine months later. The Time 1 survey was administered in paper form during soldier administrative processing to home station. The Time 2 follow-up survey was administered electronically over the Internet. Data were analyzed using blockwise sequential logistic regressions, with age, rank, and combat exposure entered as covariates. Results show that low psychological hardiness, more combat exposure, younger age, and lower rank are associated with increased risk of alcohol abuse soon after return from deployment. At follow-up, avoidance coping was a significant predictor of risky alcohol use. These results suggest that alcohol screening programs for returning veterans may be improved by including assessment of such psychological variables as hardiness and avoidance coping.