Extraversion and Resilience as Protective Factors for PTSD Symptom Severity in the Military

Jordan Joyner Faculty Mentor: Dr. Valerie Leak

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) remains a concern for military personnel, as the number of service members suffering from this disorder continues to rise.PTSD develops in response to threat of life or danger, and subsequent symptoms significantly impair a person’s life. The Conservation of Resources theory (COR) postulates individuals are inclined to preserve, protect, and procure resources. COR has been proposed to explain PTSD because an individual’s resources become overtaxed, which may contribute to the diagnosis. COR may also account for protective factors, such as Extraversion and Resilience. The positive affect and gregarious nature of Extraverted individuals would likely be advantageous in utilizing resources. Resilience is often associated with resourcefulness and high self-esteem, which also likely come in handy when conserving and maintaining resources.      Female soldiers have been found to feel less prepared for battle, have elevated perceptions of risk, and higher instances of mental health issues compared to their male counterparts. As more women enlist, it will become increasingly important to fully understand gender differences in military personnel.      The present study will examine COR as it relates to Resilience and Extraversion, and their impact on PTSD symptom severity in military personnel. Gender differences for all variables will be examined.

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