Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Black Vietnam Veterans

Race and outcome of treatment for veterans suffering from PTSD

“…Although clinician reports and some simulation experiments have suggested that minorities do less well in psychotherapy than Whites (Allen, 1986;Parson, 1985), the results of our study are similar to those of most other outcome studies in reporting no measurable differences in outcome between racial groups (Sue, 1988). The current study confirms the findings of a previous and larger study of clinical outcome in Vpis PCT program that relied on clinicians' ratings rather than independent psychometric assessments (Rosenheck, Fontana, & Cottrel, 1995).…”

“…Particular concern has been expressed in recent years that the distinctive clinical needs of Black Vietnam veterans are not being met by conventional treatments, and especially by treatment provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (Allen, 1986). Black veterans faced an exceptionally complex series of traumatic military and sociopolitical experiences during Vietnam service (Terry, 1984), and Parson (1985) has suggested that these complexities make treatment of Black veterans especially difficult.…”

An overview of posttraumatic stress disorder in African Americans

“…Overall, these studies of symptom expression and comorbidity suggest that when increased psychopathology is observed in African Americans it is likely due to greater combat exposure and race-related stressors and psychosocial and economic factors. Symptom recognition is vital to the accurate diagnosis of PTSD in African American patients including veterans (Allen, 1986;Lawson, 2000). African American men presenting in a distrustful and hostile manner may lead a clinician to not recognize PTSD.…”

“…Even though PTSD differences become statistically nonsignificant when controlling for level of exposure and socioeconomic factors, pre-and postwar factors that may lead to increased symptoms are important to consider in research and in clinical practice. Some authors have noted that other possible contributors to PTSD were racial and social problems during Vietnam wars; conflict about brutality against the Vietnamese, and limited financial opportunities following the war (Allen, 1986;Parson, 1981). Furthermore, African American trauma survivors are at risk for substance abuse or dependence if left untreated.…”

Sexual addiction as an adaptive response to posttraumatic stress disorder in the african american community

“…Researchers have suggested (Allen, 1986;Friedman, 1991;Marsella et al, 1992;Parsons, 1985Parsons, , 1990) that there exists a positive correlation between African American status in America and the incidence of symptoms associated with PTSD. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), a diagnosis of PTSD can be made when:…”