Date

4-7-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)

Chair

Florin Coltea

Keywords

PTSD, military veterans, resilience, alcohol use, PCL-5, CD-RISC, AUDIT, quantitative study, trauma, mental health

Disciplines

Psychology

Abstract

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) continues to be a significant mental health concern among U.S. military veterans. This quantitative study examines the interrelationships among PTSD symptom severity, alcohol use, and psychological resilience using three standardised instruments: the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). A cross-sectional correlational design was implemented with a convenience sample of 150 American military veterans, recruited through online platforms and veteran-focused organisations from all branches. Participants completed an anonymous online survey that assessed trauma-related symptoms, alcohol consumption behaviours, and resilience levels. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, Cronbach alpha to evaluate internal consistency, Pearson’s correlation to examine bivariate relationships, and PTSD regression analysis to determine the predictive power of alcohol use and resilience on PTSD symptoms. Additionally, to test the moderating effect of resilience, moderation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS. It was hypothesised that alcohol use would positively correlate with PTSD symptoms, while resilience would show a negative correlation and act as a protective moderating factor. The results of this study suggest implications for trauma-informed clinical practices and intervention strategies by elucidating the protective role of resilience and the compound effect of substance use in American military veterans with PTSD.

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