PTSD in Military vs. Private Contractors in Iraq: A Comparative Study
This paper presents a comparative research proposal examining Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among two populations exposed to the Iraq war zone: active-duty U.S. military personnel and non-military private contractors. Drawing on existing literature regarding PTSD prevalence, symptoms, treatments, and long-term effects, the paper identifies a critical gap in research — private contractors face combat-zone stressors comparable to soldiers yet lack access to military-provided mental health resources. The study proposes a survey-based methodology administered to both groups three months after deployment, with statistical analysis comparing PTSD symptoms and treatment access. The paper hypothesizes that both groups will exhibit PTSD symptoms, but that military personnel will demonstrate better coping skills due to greater access to structured treatment.
- Introduction: Americans at War: War's inevitable emotional toll on survivors
- The Effects of Life in a War Zone: PTSD defined and contextualized in combat settings
- Literature Review: PTSD in Military and Contractor Populations: Statistics and research on PTSD across populations
- Current Treatment Options for PTSD: VA-standard therapies and medications for PTSD
- Veterans of Previous Wars and Long-Term Effects: Long-term PTSD impacts across different war eras
- Methodology and Research Design: Survey design comparing military and contractor groups
- Conclusion and Hypotheses: Study hypotheses and expected findings on treatment gaps
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper clearly identifies a research gap — the near-total absence of PTSD data on private contractors — and frames its proposed study as a direct response to that gap, giving the project strong justification.
- Literature is organized thematically (statistics, symptoms, treatments, historical veterans, post-war adjustment), providing a well-rounded foundation before introducing the methodology.
- Explicit hypotheses (H1 and H2) are stated at the end of the literature review section, bridging the background research and the proposed methodology in a logical, reader-friendly way.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates effective use of a comparative research design proposal. Rather than simply reviewing existing literature, it uses that literature to justify and shape a specific methodological approach — parallel surveys of two distinct populations with shared exposures — showing how prior research gaps directly inform new study design.
Structure breakdown
The paper follows a standard research proposal structure: an introductory context section establishes relevance; a literature review synthesizes existing knowledge across several sub-topics; hypotheses are formally stated; and a methodology section details participants, instruments, data collection, and analysis. The conclusion reinforces the study's significance and expected findings. This mirrors APA-style research proposal conventions appropriate for an undergraduate or early graduate audience.
Introduction: Americans at War
Conflict is a part of the human condition. Although most would prefer peace, sometimes war represents an inevitable reality. Since the founding of our nation, Americans have been called to serve in the armed forces numerous times, and the latest conflict is only one event in a long chain of wars dotting American history. Every time there is a conflict, three things are inevitable: casualties, fatalities, and survivors.
Fatalities are a part of life in the war zone — a reality that every military person faces every day. For those who become casualties, permanent reminders of their time in the war zone are often left behind. However, not all casualties are physical. Life in the war zone leaves lasting emotional scars on everyone who survives, whether they were injured or not. Often these emotional scars go unrecognized or have no apparent effect on daily life, but for some, they can affect life to a degree that makes it difficult to cope. These emotional effects are the topic of this research.
The Effects of Life in a War Zone
The war zone is one of the most stressful environments on earth. Personnel and civilians face a constant physical threat, and the long-term stress associated with combat leaves lasting emotional scars on everyone — not only military personnel. Life in the war zone is an ongoing exercise in coping with grief and loss. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) occurs as a result of exposure to a traumatic event or ordeal (NIMH, 2008). Many people are familiar with PTSD as it relates to combat veterans; however, PTSD is not limited to combat veterans — it can occur in anyone as a result of exposure to any traumatic event (NIMH, 2008).
PTSD can be brief and mild, or it can be devastating and last a lifetime. Much of a person's reaction depends on personality traits and coping skills. A person does not have to be directly affected by the event to develop PTSD; casual observers and those who witness the event can be affected as easily as those directly in harm's path (NIMH, 2008). This was demonstrated by many who witnessed the bombing of the World Trade Center on television. People across the country developed PTSD simply by watching events unfold. Almost all adults in a nationwide survey reported at least one symptom of PTSD after watching the events of September 11, 2001 on television (Schuster, Bradley, & Jaycox, 2001). For a few hours, the nation was in a war zone, if only on the television screen.
Although PTSD can affect anyone who witnesses a traumatic event, those who are geographically close or directly involved in the conflict are at the greatest risk for developing severe PTSD. Therefore, this research focuses on the impact of PTSD on U.S. military personnel currently serving in a war zone. The purpose of this study is to examine current literature on PTSD, current theories and treatments, and the ability to adapt to society after returning to a conflict-free environment. This research uses a survey to examine the effectiveness of current treatments for PTSD among a population of military personnel and private contractors stationed in the war zone. This study will play an important role in the further development of techniques to help those who spend time in a war zone avoid PTSD and to allow them to return to a state of normalcy as quickly as possible.
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