Killing Versus Witnessing Trauma: Implications for the Development of PTSD in Combat Medics

• DOI: 10.1037/mil0000025
• Publication Date: 2014-03-31T17:37:47Z
• Authors: Barbara L. Pitts; Paula Chapman; Martin A. Safer; Brian Unwin; Charles Figley; Dale W. Russell
• Keywords: Service member; Iraq war; Military medicine

Killing in combat uniquely predicts elevated PTSD symptomatology among military veterans. This study investigated the effects of killing a sample 345 U.S. Army medics who had recently returned from operational deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan. Combat provide frontline medical care before, during, and after battles but also fight alongside other soldiers when under attack. Attempting kill was significant predictor even accounting for passively witnessing trauma fellow soldiers. Medics may be well prepared cope with passive experiencing war-zone trauma, benefit training negative consequences taking actions kill.