Abstract
The relationship between interest themes and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its symptoms is virtually unknown. This study addressed three issues: (a) the relationship of interest themes to PTSD symptoms, (b) comparison of PTSD versus nonPTSD veterans on interest themes, and (c) a determination of those psychiatric symptoms and interest themes that differentiated PTSD from nonPTSD veterans. Vietnam-era veterans represented PTSD (n = 40) and nonPTSD (n = 35) groups. These subjects were administered a battery of psychological tests including the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory and the MMPI (Scales 2, 4, 7, 8, and MMPI-PTSD Scale were used). Demographic/background variables were also obtained. Analysis shows no significant relations between PTSD symptoms and interest themes, no differences between groups on interest themes and, relative to psychiatric problems, occupational themes contribute in only a minor way to a PTSD/nonPTSD distinction. Discussion focused on the lowered interest patterns for these veterans and their generalized psychiatric problems.
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