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Low neuroticism as an indicator of resilience: a longitudinal study of Danish soldiers before, during and after deployment.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Low neuroticism as an indicator of resilience: a longitudinal study of Danish soldiers before, during and after deployment.
Authors: Melkevik O; Research and Knowledge Centre, Danish Veterans Centre, Ringsted, Denmark., Jeppesen LS; Institute for Leadership and Organization, Royal Danish Defence College, Copenhagen, Denmark., Folke S; Research and Knowledge Centre, Danish Veterans Centre, Ringsted, Denmark.; Military Psychology Department, Danish Veterans Centre, Copenhagen, Denmark., Nielsen ABS; Research and Knowledge Centre, Danish Veterans Centre, Ringsted, Denmark.; The Research Unit and Section of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Source: European journal of psychotraumatology [Eur J Psychotraumatol] 2025 Dec; Vol. 16 (1), pp. 2476810. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Mar 28.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Taylor & Francis Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 101559025 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2000-8066 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 20008066 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Eur J Psychotraumatol Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: 2016- : Philadelphia, PA : Taylor & Francis
Original Publication: [Järfälla] : [Amsterdam] : Co-action Pub. ; The European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, [2010]-
MeSH Terms: Neuroticism* , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic*/psychology , Military Personnel*/psychology , Military Personnel*/statistics & numerical data , Resilience, Psychological* , Military Deployment*/psychology, Humans ; Male ; Denmark ; Adult ; Longitudinal Studies ; Female ; Afghan Campaign 2001- ; Young Adult
Abstract: Background : Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and debilitating condition among military veterans. Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) may lead to PTSD and PTE sensitivity may be influenced by the personality trait neuroticism. Objective : The current investigation aims to test whether exposure to PTEs during deployment is associated with changes in PTSD symptoms, and whether individual levels of neuroticism are related to resilience or sensitivity to such exposures. Methods : The study sample included 701 Danish soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. PTSD symptoms were measured pre-, peri- and post-deployment (T1-T3) with the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version. PTSD symptom load was modelled in a mixed linear model along with an extensive list of covariates. Interactions between time, exposure, and neuroticism were tested in order to assess whether neuroticism moderated the effect of PTEs upon PTSD symptoms. Results : On average, PTSD symptoms decreased from T1 through T3. Factors associated with higher PTSD symptom levels included number of past trauma, neuroticism, and low age at deployment. Interaction analyses showed that individuals with low and medium neuroticism levels displayed no significant change in PTSD symptoms, and individuals with high neuroticism displayed a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms. These changes were consistent across levels of perceived exposure to danger and combat and witnessing the consequences of war. Conclusions : Results indicate that low levels of neuroticism appear to be related to resilience. Individuals with high levels of neuroticism displayed elevated PTSD symptoms across all time points, but contrary to expectations, they reported a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms from pre- to post-deployment.
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Contributed Indexing: Keywords: PTSD; TEPT; Veteranos; Veterans; estudio longitudinal; longitudinal study; neuroticism; neuroticismo; personality traits; rasgos de personalidad; resilience; resiliencia; trauma
Local Abstract: [plain-language-summary] High levels of neuroticism, past trauma, and a younger age at deployment were associated with higher PTSD symptom levels among soldiers.Soldiers with low and medium neuroticism levels exhibited stable and low PTSD symptom levels irrespective of perceived exposure to potentially traumatic events during deployment.Contrary to expectations, soldiers with high neuroticism levels experienced a reduction in PTSD symptoms from pre- to post-deployment.
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250328 Date Completed: 20250515 Latest Revision: 20250515
Update Code: 20250515
PubMed Central ID: PMC11956148
DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2025.2476810
PMID: 40152007
Database: MEDLINE
Description
Abstract:Background : Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious and debilitating condition among military veterans. Exposure to potentially traumatic events (PTEs) may lead to PTSD and PTE sensitivity may be influenced by the personality trait neuroticism. Objective : The current investigation aims to test whether exposure to PTEs during deployment is associated with changes in PTSD symptoms, and whether individual levels of neuroticism are related to resilience or sensitivity to such exposures. Methods : The study sample included 701 Danish soldiers deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. PTSD symptoms were measured pre-, peri- and post-deployment (T1-T3) with the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version. PTSD symptom load was modelled in a mixed linear model along with an extensive list of covariates. Interactions between time, exposure, and neuroticism were tested in order to assess whether neuroticism moderated the effect of PTEs upon PTSD symptoms. Results : On average, PTSD symptoms decreased from T1 through T3. Factors associated with higher PTSD symptom levels included number of past trauma, neuroticism, and low age at deployment. Interaction analyses showed that individuals with low and medium neuroticism levels displayed no significant change in PTSD symptoms, and individuals with high neuroticism displayed a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms. These changes were consistent across levels of perceived exposure to danger and combat and witnessing the consequences of war. Conclusions : Results indicate that low levels of neuroticism appear to be related to resilience. Individuals with high levels of neuroticism displayed elevated PTSD symptoms across all time points, but contrary to expectations, they reported a significant decrease in PTSD symptoms from pre- to post-deployment.
ISSN:2000-8066
DOI:10.1080/20008066.2025.2476810