COVID-19-related media consumption and posttraumatic stress symptoms in US military veterans: A nationally representative, longitudinal study

Purpose: To examine the association between COVID-19 media consumption and pandemic-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in U.S. veterans.Methods: A population-based sample of 3,074 U.S. veterans was surveyed prior to the pandemic (fall 2019) and a year later during the height of the pandemic (fall 2020).Results: Greater COVID-19 media consumption was associated with pandemic-related PTSS, particularly in veterans with pre-existing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who were 79% more likely to report pandemicrelated PTSS relative to veterans with PTSD who consumed less COVID-19 media.Conclusion: COVID-19 media consumption is independently linked to a greater likelihood of pandemic-related PTSS in U.S. veterans.

Automated summary

This study aims to examine the association between COVID-19 media consumption and pandemic-related posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in U.S. veterans. The results showed that greater COVID-19 media consumption was associated with pandemic-related PTSS, particularly in veterans with pre-existing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), who were 79% more likely to report pandemic-related PTSS compared to veterans with PTSD who consumed less COVID-19 media.