Abstract
This study examined the impact of killing on posttraumatic stress symptomatology (PTSS), depression,and alcohol use among 317 U.S. Gulf War veterans. Participants were obtained via a national registry ofGulf War veterans and were mailed a survey assessing deployment experiences and postdeploymentmental health. Overall, 11% of veterans reported killing during their deployment. Those who reportedkilling were more likely to be younger and male than those who did not kill. After controlling forperceived danger, exposure to death and dying, and witnessing killing of fellow soldiers, killing was asignificant predictor of PTSS, frequency and quantity of alcohol use, and problem alcohol use. Militarypersonnel returning from modern deployments are at risk of adverse mental health symptoms related tokillinginwar.Postdeploymentmentalhealthassessmentandtreatmentshouldaddressreactionstokillingin order to optimize readjustment.Keywords: killing, veterans, gulf war, PTSD, alcohol
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