Self-reported PTSD symptoms and social support in U.S. military service members and veterans: a meta-analysis

Background: The mental health burden of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is high in U.S. military samples. Social support is one of the most robust protective factors against PTSD and a recent meta-analysis indicates that this relationship is even stronger in military samples compared to civilian samples. Yet no meta-analyses have explored factors impacting this association in veterans and military service members (VSMs). Objective: The current meta-analysis examined demographic, social support, and military characteristics that may moderate the relationship of PTSD severity and social support among U.S. VSMs. Method: A search identified 37 cross-sectional studies, representing 38 unique samples with a total of 18,766 individuals. Results: The overall random effects estimate was −.33 (95% CI: −.38, −.27, Z = −10.19, p
HIGHLIGHTS • Factors that impact the association of PTSD severity and social support among U.S. military service members are understudied. • A meta-analysis of 38 cross-sectional samples (N = 18,766) showed that higher levels of social support were associated with less severe PTSD symptoms. • Social support received from non-military sources had a stronger relationship with PTSD symptoms than support received from military sources. • Few studies have examined the relationship between social negativity and PTSD severity in military samples despite evidence that social negativity is a more robust predictor than positive forms of support.