A long-term study involving 1,377 Vietnam War veterans demonstrated a clear link between social support and PTSD. The research, spanning 14 years, found that veterans who felt they had less social support upon returning home were more susceptible to developing PTSD compared to those who perceived greater support.

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Following a traumatic event, the presence of social support can significantly decrease the chances of developing PTSD. Social support, defined as the comfort, advice, and help from friends, family, and neighbors, aids coping by offering a safe outlet for expressing feelings and reinforcing a sense of being valued and cared for.

Social Support's Role in Mitigating PTSD

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Social Support and PTSD in Vietnam Veterans

Active participation in the community can play a protective role regarding PTSD. Evidence from a study on Vietnam veterans indicates that individuals who were more involved in their community were not only less likely to develop PTSD but also had a greater chance of remission if they did develop the disorder.

Community Involvement as a Factor in PTSD Recovery

Read the two scenarios below. Based on your understanding of factors that influence psychological recovery after a traumatic event, which individual, Alex or Ben, is less likely to develop a severe stress-related disorder? Justify your choice by explaining the psychological principle at play.

Post-Trauma Recovery Scenarios

Based on the two scenarios below, which individual is more likely to develop a significant stress-related disorder following the traumatic event? Justify your answer by explaining the key psychological protective factor that is present for one individual but absent for the other.

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