The impact of childhood victimization and other premilitary factors on warzone abusive violence was examined with 177 Vietnam combat veteran inpatients. Premilitary and military variables were also examined in relationship to postmilitary variables, including violence and PTSD. Statistical analyses showed that none of the premilitary variables predicted warzone violence. High combat exposure did, however, predict warzone abusive violence and PTSD. In addition, participation in warzone violence predicted postmilitary violence to self, spouse, and others. Although high rates of childhood victimization and high levels of combat exposure were found, neither predicted postmilitary violence, criminal activities, drug/alcohol problems, or suicide attempts. Low childhood adjustment ratings and school suspensions predicted adult alcohol abuse and drug abuse, respectively. These findings and their implication for treatment are discussed.

Parole outcomes for 183 violators and 261 nonviolators (initial sample), and 130 violators and 165 nonviolators (cross-validating sample) were forecast from demographic and personality inventory data. The best single source of prediction in the cross-validating sample was a demographic Base Expectancy index. The best combination was given by an equation including this index, the socialization, selfcontrol, and communality scales of the CPI with positive weightings, and the social presence scale of the CPI with a negative weighting. Conceptual analysis of the equation from the CPI, MMPI, and CPI + MMPI revealed a clear dimension of psychological meaning, having significance for normal as well as for deviant behavior. (44 ref.)

Group therapy has been identified effective for the treatment of PTSD. The importance of creating a safe, supportive, and competent therapeutic arena is discussed. The assurance of physical and emotional safety, confidentiality, and "honesty" are identified as important factors in this process.Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the new name for an old condition. It is a mental disorder which is a consequence of psychological and perhaps neuro-psychological responses to trauma which, while perhaps facilitating immediate survival, have gone on to generate long-term suffering. It appears that each generation has had to re-discover PTSD as if it had never been known before. This lapse in the continuity of memory attests to the power of the mind to insulate itself from awareness of psychic injury. The current generation discovered PTSD after the Vietnam War.War is a prodigious source of the horrific events we associate with PTSD and military medical authorities have long appreciated the need to identify and respond to acute episodes of "shell shock" and "combat fatigue" (Jones & Hales, 1987). This appreciation reflects medical as well as military

The impact of childhood victimization and other premilitary factors on warzone abusive violence was examined with 177 Vietnam combat veteran inpatients. Premilitary and military variables were also examined in relationship to postmilitary variables, including violence and PTSD. Statistical analyses showed that none of the premilitary variables predicted warzone violence. High combat exposure did, however, predict warzone abusive violence and PTSD. In addition, participation in warzone violence predicted postmilitary violence to self, spouse, and others. Although high rates of childhood victimization and high levels of combat exposure were found, neither predicted postmilitary violence, criminal activities, drug/alcohol problems, or suicide attempts. Low childhood adjustment ratings and school suspensions predicted adult alcohol abuse and drug abuse, respectively. These findings and their implication for treatment are discussed.

A group of 58 American Indian alcoholic admissions and a group of 211 White alcoholic admissions to a California State Mental Hospital were interviewed utilizing a 141-item interview scale. The two groups were compared as to their responses to the interview items by a series of one-way analyses of variance. Statistically significant differences were found on demographic, socioeconomic, hospitalization, drinking and friendship pattern variables. The results are discussed with reference to data reliability, and socioeconomic and cultural factors. The study's findings are also related to an apparent need for the education of police and native Americans in the area concerning treatment resources available to native American problem drinkers.