Severity of PTSD symptoms and quality of life in veterans

Objective (s): The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the severity of symptoms of PTSD and quality of life in veterans. Using a correlational design, 120 patients with PTSD were selected through convenient sampling method from Sadr and Sasan Hospitals in Tehran, Iran. They were then administered a demographic questionnaire, the Watson PTSD Interview and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise regression procedure. The results showed significantly negative correlations between the severity of PTSD symptoms and the different components of quality of life, including role-physical, body pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, mental health, physical component scale and mental component scale. Moreover, the results of regression analysis revealed significant role of the severity of PTSD symptoms in reducing the quality of life, especially the social functioning, physical functioning, physical component scale and mental health. The results of the study indicate that veteran's quality of life is greatly affected by the severity of their PTSD symptoms.