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A cluster analysis of symptom patterns and adjustment in Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Mazzeo, SE; Beckham, JC; Witvliet Cv, CV; Feldman, ME; Shivy, VA
Published in: J Clin Psychol
December 2002

This study investigated whether a subgroup of veterans with malignant posttraumatic stress syndrome, as described by Rosenheck (1985) and Lambert et al. (1996), could be identified via cluster analysis within two samples of Vietnam veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the initial subsample (n = 157), four clusters were identified, including a subgroup that scored consistently higher on measures of interpersonal violence and current physical problems. Similar results were found in the cross-validation subsample (n = 156). These results provide support for the theoretical concept of malignant PTSD and suggest that veterans with chronic PTSD are not homogenous. Whereas some manifest extreme levels of both functional impairment and PTSD symptomatology, others exhibit markedly less functional impairment despite manifesting clinically significant levels of PTSD. Clinicians can consider this heterogeneity in their treatment decisions.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Clin Psychol

DOI

ISSN

0021-9762

Publication Date

December 2002

Volume

58

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1555 / 1571

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vietnam
  • Veterans
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Chronic Disease
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Mazzeo, S. E., Beckham, J. C., Witvliet Cv, C. V., Feldman, M. E., & Shivy, V. A. (2002). A cluster analysis of symptom patterns and adjustment in Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Psychol, 58(12), 1555–1571. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.10074
Mazzeo, Suzanne E., Jean C. Beckham, Charlotte vanOyen Witvliet Cv, Michelle E. Feldman, and Victoria A. Shivy. “A cluster analysis of symptom patterns and adjustment in Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.J Clin Psychol 58, no. 12 (December 2002): 1555–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.10074.
Mazzeo SE, Beckham JC, Witvliet Cv CV, Feldman ME, Shivy VA. A cluster analysis of symptom patterns and adjustment in Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Psychol. 2002 Dec;58(12):1555–71.
Mazzeo, Suzanne E., et al. “A cluster analysis of symptom patterns and adjustment in Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.J Clin Psychol, vol. 58, no. 12, Dec. 2002, pp. 1555–71. Pubmed, doi:10.1002/jclp.10074.
Mazzeo SE, Beckham JC, Witvliet Cv CV, Feldman ME, Shivy VA. A cluster analysis of symptom patterns and adjustment in Vietnam combat veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder. J Clin Psychol. 2002 Dec;58(12):1555–1571.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Clin Psychol

DOI

ISSN

0021-9762

Publication Date

December 2002

Volume

58

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1555 / 1571

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vietnam
  • Veterans
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Chronic Disease