Vietnam Veterans: A Study Exploring Adjustment Patterns and Attitudes

Abstract

The veterans interviewed in this study indicate that the adjustment processes that they face upon return to civilian life are unusually difficult and complex. Severe depression, hostility, and guilt characterize many of them. The veteran's perception of the extent and intensity of his combat involvement as well as his participation in atrocities is closely related to his overall adjustment to civilian life. Intraception versus authoritarianism on the part of these veterans tends to differentiate between those who withdraw and are apathetic upon return and those who find employment or schooling and are in favor of the war effort. Race is also a discriminating factor, with black and Mexican‐American veterans being far more often unemployed, opposed to the war, and perceiving themselves as less able to control their own personal world.

Factor-analytic support for DSM-III's post-traumatic stress disorder for vietnam veterans

“…However, in Vietnam both the truck driver and medic could have come under sudden attack by rockets, mortars, booby traps, snipers, ambushers, or infiltrated sappers, not to mention defending themselves against the more conventional forms of military assault. Strayer and Ellenhorn (1975) have asserted that self-perception of the extent and degree of combat involvement was a critical variable related to severity of adjustment problems and psychological symptomology. The sample of Vietnam Veterans used here included line soldiers (N = 371) and soldiers (N = 34) in such military jobs as truck drivers, medics, engineers, cooks, etc.…”

Warzone violence in Vietnam: An examination of premilitary, military, and postmilitary factors in PTSD in‐patients

“…Abusive violence in relation to postmilitary readjustment problems has also been examined (Brende, 1985;Breslau & Davis, 1987;Fontana, Rosenheck, & Spencer, 1990;Fox, 1974;Gallers, Foy, Donahoe, & Goldfarb, 1988;Gault, 1971;Glover, Pelesky, Bruno, & Sette, 1990;Glover, 1988Glover, , 1985Grady, Woolfolk, & Budney, 1989;Green, Grace, Lindy, & Gleser, 1990;Haley, 1974;Langener, 1971;Lifton, 1979;Moskos, 1980;Parson, 1984;Shatan, 1987;Strayer & Ellenhorn, 1975;Yager, Laufer, & Gallops, 1984;Yehuda, Southwick, & Giller, 1992). Most of these studies have found that treatment-seeking veterans who had engaged in atrocities often present with extreme PTSD symptoms, including profound guilt.…”

The impact of prior deployment experience on civilian employment after military service

“…Recent US military service, in particular, may be characterised by multiple and prolonged deployments. Service members who deployed during times of war and combat may face obstacles or discrimination when seeking employment in the civilian world due to common misperceptions, associated stereotypes, or readjustment issues 1 2…”