National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study Research Articles

Alternative representations of war zone stressors: Relationships to posttraumatic stress disorder in male and female Vietnam veterans.

Four conceptualizations of war zone stressor experiences were defined: traditional combat, atrocities-abusive violence, perceived threat, and malevolent environment. Items from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS) were reviewed for content, and stressor indexes were created. Using retrospective self-report data from the NVVRS, intercorrelations among stressor scores and between these scores and measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were computed for all veterans and for men and women separately. Structural equation modeling procedures followed. Results indicated that the four stressor indexes were internally consistent, reasonably distinct from one another, and influenced PTSD differentially. Men scored significantly higher than women on all 4 indexes. Whereas the pattern of relationships among the variables was comparable across genders, there was evidence that one path coefficient in the model differed for men and women.

Attempted suicide among Vietnam veterans: a model of etiology in a community sample.

Data from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study, conducted from 1986 to 1988, were used to develop an etiological model of attempted suicide among a community sample of 1,198 male Vietnam veterans. In a three-step process, the authors used structural equation modeling to develop a model that they refined, cross-validated, and then specified in terms of its replicable paths. The final model possesses highly satisfactory fit and parsimony. General psychiatric disorders were the sole factors contributing directly to attempted suicide. General psychiatric disorders were in part products of both nonmilitary and military traumas, most specifically participation in abusive violence. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse were related to attempted suicide bivariately but not when considered in conjunction with general psychiatric disorders. Among premilitary risk factors, family instability contributed to attempted suicide indirectly through its influence on general psychiatric disorders. The etiology of attempted suicide among Vietnam veterans remains largely unexplained. A partial explanation is that the predominant and direct causes spring from general psychiatric disorders rather than from traumatic exposure, PTSD, or substance abuse. Traumatic exposure contributes directly to the development of PTSD and general psychiatric disorders but only indirectly to making a suicide attempt.

The civilian version of the Mississippi PTSD scale: A psychometric evaluation

AbstractThis three‐part study examined the reliability and validity of the civilian version of the Mississippi Scale for Combat‐Related PTSD using data from the nonveteran participants in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. The Civilian Mississippi Scale had a raw score distribution that was roughly symmetric, with an acceptable degree of dispersion and a reasonably high internal consistency reliability coefficient. Overall, however, measurement precision was weaker than that for the military version of the instrument, and confirmatory factor analytic findings differed from those found for the military version. Preliminary investigations of validity were in the form of correlations with indices of stressful life events, a PTSD symptom count, and measures of demoralization and active expression of hostility. The Civilian Mississippi Scale emerged from the various analyses as a PTSD measure with potential but requiring further validational study and perhaps some refinement.

The civilian version of the Mississippi PTSD Scale: a psychometric evaluation.

This three-part study examined the reliability and validity of the civilian version of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD using data from the nonveteran participants in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. The Civilian Mississippi Scale had a raw score distribution that was roughly symmetric, with an acceptable degree of dispersion and a reasonably high internal consistency reliability coefficient. Overall, however, measurement precision was weaker than that for the military version of the instrument, and confirmatory factor analytic findings differed from those found for the military version. Preliminary investigations of validity were in the form of correlations with indices of stressful life events, a PTSD symptom count, and measures of demoralization and active expression of hostility. The Civilian Mississippi Scale emerged from the various analyses as a PTSD measure with potential but requiring further validational study and perhaps some refinement.

Utilization of Mental Health Services by Minority Veterans of the Vietnam Era

This study sought to identify differences in utilization of mental health services among members of five minority groups who served in the military during the Vietnam era. Data on utilization of mental health services from five different types of provider (Veterans Affairs [VA] and non-VA mental health providers, nonpsychiatrist physicians, clergy, and self-help groups) were obtained from a national survey of Vietnam era veterans (the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study) along with information on sociodemographic characteristics, health status, income, and health insurance coverage. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to compare use of various services among whites, blacks, Puerto Rican Hispanics, Mexican Hispanics, and others. Black veterans and Mexican Hispanic veterans were significantly less likely than white veterans to have used non-VA mental health services or self-help groups, after adjusting for health status and other factors. There were no differences between ethnocultural groups in use of VA mental health services, or services provided by nonpsychiatrist physicians or clergy, even after adjustment was made for health and economic factors. Although military service during the Vietnam conflict may have alienated many minority veterans from the federal government, the reluctance of minorities to use non-VA mental health services does not extend to the VA system. Further studies are needed to clarify the reasons for less non-VA service use among some minority groups.

Posttraumatic stress disorder among Vietnam Theater Veterans. A causal model of etiology in a community sample.

Data from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study, conducted from 1986 to 1988, were used to develop and cross-validate a model of the etiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a community sample of 1198 male Vietnam theater veterans. The initial model specified causal paths among five sets of variables, ordered according to their historical occurrence: a) premilitary risk factors and traumas, b) war-related and non-war-related traumas during the military, c) homecoming reception, d) postmilitary traumas, and e) PTSD. The initial model was refined and then cross-validated, leading to the specification of a final model with highly satisfactory fit and parsimony. In terms of the magnitude of their contribution to the development of PTSD, lack of support from family and friends at the time of the homecoming and exposure to combat were the two most influential contributors. Other contributing factors, in order of importance, were Hispanic ethnicity, societal rejection at the time of homecoming, childhood abuse, participation in abusive violence, and family instability. Exposure to war-related and non-war-related traumas occurred largely independently of each other, with war-related traumas contributing substantially more than non-war-related traumas to the development of PTSD. Limitations to interpretation of the results are noted due to the retrospective nature of the data and the inevitable omission of other etiological factors.

Peritraumatic dissociation and posttraumatic stress in male Vietnam theater veterans.

The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of a proposed measure of peritraumatic dissociation and, as part of that effort, to determine the relationship between dissociative experiences during disturbing combat trauma and the subsequent development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A total of 251 male Vietnam theater veterans from the Clinical Examination Component of the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study were examined to determine the relationship of war zone stress exposure, retrospective reports of dissociation during the most disturbing combat trauma events, and general dissociative tendencies with PTSD case determination. The total score on the Peritraumatic Dissociation Experiences Questionnaire--Rater Version was strongly associated with level of posttraumatic stress symptoms, level of stress exposure, and general dissociative tendencies and weakly associated with general psychopathology scales from the MMPI-2. Logistic regression analyses supported the incremental value of dissociation during trauma, over and above the contributions of level of war zone stress exposure and general dissociative tendencies, in accounting for PTSD case determination. These results provide support for the reliability and validity of the Peritraumatic Dissociation Experiences Questionnaire--Rater Version and for a trauma-dissociation linkage hypothesis: the greater the dissociation during traumatic stress exposure, the greater the likelihood of meeting criteria for current PTSD.

A model of homelessness among male veterans of the Vietnam War generation.

This study explored a multifactorial model of vulnerability to homelessness among male veterans of the Vietnam war generation. Data from 1,460 male veterans who participated in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study were used to evaluate hypotheses about the causes of homelessness grouped into four sets of sequential variables: 1) premilitary risk factors, 2) war related and non-war-related traumatic experiences, 3) lack of social support at the time of discharge from military service, and 4) postmilitary psychiatric disorder and social dysfunction. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the posited model of risk factors for homelessness. Postmilitary social isolation, psychiatric disorder, and substance abuse had the strongest direct effects on homelessness, although substantial indirect effects from stressors related to being in the war zone and from premilitary conduct disorder were observed. Several premilitary factors--year of birth, childhood physical or sexual abuse, other childhood traumas, and placement in foster care during childhood--also had direct effects on homelessness. Individual vulnerability to homelessness is most likely due to a multiplicity of psychiatric and nonpsychiatric factors, with independent influences emerging at each of four discrete time periods. In view of this complex pattern of influences, prevention efforts directed at individuals must address a very broad range of adjustment problems.

Enhancing the precision of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An application of item response theory.

Item response theory was used to examine the measurement qualities of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, with data taken from the 2,348 veteran participants in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. Using Samejima's (1969) graded response model, estimates of each item's discrimination and difficulty parameters were derived, and item and test information functions were then computed. Various item information patterns and sample items are discussed in terms of improved assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder

Book reviews

British Journal of PsychologyVolume 83, Issue 4 p. 549-559 Book reviews First published: November 1992 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8295.1992.tb02458.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Book reviewed in this article: The Pursuit of Mind. Edited by Raymond Tallis & Howard Robinson. The Mind in Sleep: Psychology and Psychophysiology, 2nd ed. Edited by S. J. Ellman & J. S. Antrobus. Memory Mechanisms: A tribute to G. V. Goddard. Edited by C. Wickliffe, M. C. Corballis & K.G. White. Advances in Behavioral Assessment of Children and Families, vol. 5. Edited by R. J. Prinz. Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. By C. Sanderson. The Multi-Professional Handbook of Child Sexual Abuse: Integrated Management, Therapy and Legal Intervention. By T. Furniss. Trauma and The Vietnam War Generation. Report of findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study by Richard A. Kulka, William E. Schlenger, John A. Fairbank, Richard L. Hough, B. Kathleen Jordan, Charles R. Marmar & Daniel S. Weiss, with a chapter by David A. Grady. Strangers at Home. Vietnam Veterans since the War. Edited by Charles R. Figley & Seymour Leventman. Advances in Personal Construct Psychology, volume 1. Edited by G. J. Neimeyer & R. A. Neimeyer. Human Resource Management in Aviation. Edited by E. Farmer. Volume83, Issue4November 1992Pages 549-559 RelatedInformation

The prevalence of lifetime and partial post‐traumatic stress disorder in vietnam theater veterans

AbstractA complete understanding of the consequences of service in a war zone includes examining the lifetime and current prevalence of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and of partial PTSD. Cases of partial PTSD are persons who have clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, but who do not meet the full diagnostic criteria. The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS) estimated the lifetime prevalence of PTSD to be 30.9% among male theater veterans, 26.% among females; lifetime prevalence of partial PTSD was an additional 22.5% and 21.2%, respectively; current prevalence of partial PTSD was 11.1% in males and 7.8% in females. NVVRS findings indicate that of the 1.7 million veterans who ever experienced significant symptoms of PTSD after the Vietnam war, approximately 830,000 (49%) still experience clinically significant distress and disability from symptoms of PTSD. The contribution of partial PTSD represents an estimated additional 350,000 veterans.

The prevalence of post‐traumatic stress disorder in the Vietnam generation: A multimethod, multisource assessment of psychiatric disorder

AbstractFindings from the Congressionally mandated National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study indicate that nearly one‐half million Vietnam veterans —15.2% of the men and 8.5% of the women who served in Vietnam—suffer from post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) fifteen or more years after their military service. Current PTSD prevalence rates for Vietnam veterans are significantly and substantially higher than the rates for their comparable Vietnam generation peers, which range from 0.3% to 2.5%. Additionally, the current prevalence rate among male Vietnam veterans was found to differ significantly among race/ethnicity subgroups: 27.9% among Hispanic men, 20.6% among black men, 13.7% among white/other men. Multivariate analyses indicated that although background factors are significantly related to the current prevalence of PTSD, the current prevalence is much higher among Vietnam veterans than among era veteran and civilian counterpart comparison groups even after background differences are taken into account. These analyses also demonstrated the important role of exposure to combat and other types of war zone stress in the current prevalence of the disorder.

The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in the Vietnam generation: A multimethod, multisource assessment of psychiatric disorder

Findings from the Congressionally mandated National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study indicate that nearly one-half million Vietnam veterans—15.2% of the men and 8.5% of the women who served in Vietnam—suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) fifteen or more years after their military service. Current PTSD prevalence rates for Vietnam veterans are significantly and substantially higher than the rates for their comparable Vietnam generation peers, which range from 0.3% to 2.5%. Additionally, the current prevalence rate among male Vietnam veterans was found to differ significantly among race/ethnicity subgroups: 27.9% among Hispanic men, 20.6% among black men, 13.7% among white/other men. Multivariate analyses indicated that although background factors are significantly related to the current prevalence of PTSD, the current prevalence is much higher among Vietnam veterans than among era veteran and civilian counterpart comparison groups even after background differences are taken into account. These analyses also demonstrated the important role of exposure to combat and other types of war zone stress in the current prevalence of the disorder.

The prevalence of lifetime and partial post-traumatic stress disorder in Vietnam theater veterans

A complete understanding of the consequences of service in a war zone includes examining the lifetime and current prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and of partial PTSD. Cases of partial PTSD are persons who have clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, but who do not meet the full diagnostic criteria. The National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study (NVVRS) estimated the lifetime prevalence of PTSD to be 30.9% among male theater veterans, 26.% among females; lifetime prevalence of partial PTSD was an additional 22.5% and 21.2%, respectively; current prevalence of partial PTSD was 11.1% in males and 7.8% in females. NVVRS findings indicate that of the 1.7 million veterans who ever experienced significant symptoms of PTSD after the Vietnam war, approximately 830,000 (49%) still experience clinically significant distress and disability from symptoms of PTSD. The contribution of partial PTSD represents an estimated additional 350,000 veterans.

Strangers at Home: Vietnam Veterans Since the War; Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings From the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article ArticleNo AccessStrangers at Home: Vietnam Veterans Since the War; Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings From the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment StudyJ. R. CUSACKJ. R. CUSACKSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:1 Apr 2006https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.149.6.837-aAboutSections ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail "Strangers at Home: Vietnam Veterans Since the War; Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings From the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study." American Journal of Psychiatry, 149(6), pp. 837-a–838 Access content To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access. Personal login Institutional Login Sign in via OpenAthens Purchase Save for later Item saved, go to cart PPV Articles - American Journal of Psychiatry $35.00 Add to cart PPV Articles - American Journal of Psychiatry Checkout Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability. Not a subscriber? Subscribe Now / Learn More PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development. Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.). FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited ByThe wounds of war1 April 2006 | American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 150, No. 7 Volume 149Issue 6 June 1992Pages 837-a-838 Metrics History Published online 1 April 2006 Published in print 1 June 1992

Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. Edited by Richard A. Kulka Ph.D., William E. Schlenger, Ph.D., John A. Fairbank, Ph.D., Richard L. Hough, Ph.D., B. Kathleen Jordan, Ph.D., Charles R. Marmar, M.D., Daniel S. Weiss, Ph.D., David A. Grady, Psy.D., New York: Brunner/Mazel, Publishers, 1990, 322 pages, $19.95

Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. Edited by Richard A. Kulka Ph.D., William E. Schlenger, Ph.D., John A. Fairbank, Ph.D., Richard L. Hough, Ph.D., B. Kathleen Jordan, Ph.D., Charles R. Marmar, M.D., Daniel S. Weiss, Ph.D., David A. Grady, Psy.D., New York: Brunner/Mazel, Publishers, 1990, 322 pages, $19.95

Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study

Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study

Review of Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study.

Review of Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study.

Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Book ReviewNo AccessTrauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment StudyT.L. Brink, Ph.D.T.L. BrinkYucaipa, CASearch for more papers by this author, Ph.D.Published Online:30 Apr 2018https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1991.45.1.144AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail "Trauma and the Vietnam War Generation: Report of Findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study." American Journal of Psychotherapy, 45(1), p. 144 Access content To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access. Personal login Institutional Login Sign in via OpenAthens Purchase Save for later Item saved, go to cart PPV Articles - APT - American Journal of Psychotherapy $35.00 Add to cart PPV Articles - APT - American Journal of Psychotherapy Checkout Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability. Not a subscriber? Subscribe Now / Learn More PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development. Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.). FiguresReferencesCited byDetailsCited byNone Volume 45Issue 1 1991, pp. 1–156Pages 144-144 Metrics PDF download History Published online 30 April 2018 Published in print 1 January 1991

Review of Trauma and the Vietnam War generation: Report of the findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study.

Review of Trauma and the Vietnam War generation: Report of the findings from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study.