The effect of war stressors and life events on Gulf War veterans with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms

Kieran Dhillon, Kendal C. Boyd

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examines the association of life stressors and the period when they occur, with the development of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptoms in Gulf War veterans. Of data collected from Gulf War Health Registry veterans, 113 met CFS criteria and 441were controls. After hierarchical multiple regression, several negative life stressors were associated with CFS group membership: being wounded, experiencing a traumatic war experience, frequent battle experiences, demotion, and unable to work within 2 years of returning from the Gulf. The positive life stressor of buying a house more than 2 years after returning protected against being in the CFS group. The findings are consistent with etiological hypotheses of CFS incorporating a psychosocial component and are useful in developing programs for veterans returning from war.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)87-97
Number of pages11
JournalMilitary Psychology
Volume22
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2010

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • General Psychology

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