Relations between the underlying dimensions of PTSD and major depression using an epidemiological survey of deployed Ohio National Guard soldiers

Background present study, the authors investigated the relationship between the underlying symptom dimensions of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dimensions of major depressive disorder (MDD). le of 1266 Ohio National Guard soldiers with a history of overseas deployment participated and were administered the PTSD Checklist (assessing PTSD) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (assessing depression). s confirmatory factor analysis, results demonstrated that both PTSDʹs dysphoria and hyperarousal factors were more related to depressionʹs somatic than non-somatic factor. Furthermore, depressionʹs somatic factor was more related to PTSDʹs dysphoria than hyperarousal factor. tions tions of this study include the use of self-report measures and a predominately male military sample. sions s indicate that PTSDʹs dysphoria factor is related to depression specifically by way of depressionʹs somatic construct. Given PTSDʹs substantial dysphoria/distress component, these results have implications for understanding the nature of PTSDʹs high comorbidity with depression.