Determinants of health services use in veterans of Portuguese Colonial War: PTSD, neuroticism and social support

Abstract

The exposure to traumatic events, especially when it origins Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), is related to the increase of physical complaints and a larger demand of health services. This study explores variables associated with health services use among 25 Portuguese Colonial War Veterans, compared to 25 Non-Combatants, particularly Trauma Exposure, PTSD Symptoms, Reported Diseases, Neuroticism and Social Support. The results reveal a high prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans and significant differences between both groups in number of diseases and health services use, higher among Veterans. On this group, Neuroticism is associated to a higher health services use, while a smaller Social Support is correlated to specialized consultation use. These results suggest that professionals should be regardful to subjects with PTSD symptoms, seeking to adapt medical care to their specificities.