Viewing wildlife images through citizen science: Impact on the anxiety levels of military veterans with varying levels of PTSD

As citizen science becomes an increasingly popular research tool, investigators must recognize potential risks to participants. In our study of the effects of residential composting on scavenger ecology, citizen scientists... [ view full abstract ]

As citizen science becomes an increasingly popular research tool, investigators must recognize potential risks to participants. In our study of the effects of residential composting on scavenger ecology, citizen scientists identify animals in wildlife camera images through crowd sourcing. To date, participants have included mainly students (secondary and college level) and high school science teachers, but we are eager to involve military veterans since they likely possess advanced observational skills and also have the potential to benefit both educationally and psychologically from involvement. However, as a precaution before engaging veterans, we are determining whether or not those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience adverse reactions when viewing nocturnal, infrared-illuminated images (similar to military NightVision) or images of animals that might be considered menacing. An ongoing pilot study involves veterans with varying levels of PTSD, as measured by a standard instrument, the PTSD Checklist - Military Version (PCL-M). These participants are assessed for state anxiety levels, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI-S) immediately before and after viewing a set of twenty wildlife images from our ecological research. The pilot project results to date show no adverse response to viewing the wildlife images; in fact, the veterans overall show a marginally significant decrease in anxiety after viewing. Participants with higher levels of PTSD, show the greatest anxiety reduction. In a follow-up study, psychophysiological measures of anxiety and a non-veteran control group will be added.