Clinical and psychopathological structure of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in combatants depending on the nature of combat missions

This study investigates the specifics of the clinical and psychopathological structure of PTSD in combatants based on the nature of their combat missions. In an examination of 23 combatants, divided into three groups by mission type (assault units, support units, and medical personnel), it was established that the overall severity of PTSD symptoms was the highest in the assault unit group. A direct relationship between the nature of the combat mission and the symptomatology was found: the participants from assault units had statistically significantly higher scores in the “re-experiencing” and “hyperarousal” symptom clusters. The results underscore that the nature of combat missions directly influences the formation of PTSD symptomatology, highlighting the need to develop differentiated approaches to psychotherapy and rehabilitation for combatants.