Work-family conflict a factor in PTSD

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A survey of U.S. Air Force women shows work-family conflicts are an independent and significant predictor of post-traumatic stress disorder -- beyond combat.

The University of Michigan survey of 1,114 servicewomen also finds about 20 percent of women deployed during the Iraq war report they are experiencing at least one major symptom of PTSD.

"We cannot hope to take away the stress of combat but the additional stress caused by family-work conflicts can be modified," Air Force Reserve Col. Penny Pierce said in a statement. "Steps can be taken to reduce the anxiety and depression of servicewomen who are worried about what is happening on the home front."

Nearly half of the women surveyed said their home-life rarely or never interfered with their work or made it difficult for them to accomplish daily tasks. These women say they can spend the time they would like to on career-related activities.

However, the women who experienced higher levels of family-work conflict were more likely to have symptoms of depression and anxiety, and were also less likely to feel they could cope with daily demands and responsibilities, the researchers told the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in San Francisco.