Combat Level and Social Support in the Development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Vietnam Veterans

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of social support and exposure to combat on the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Vietnam veterans. A second purpose was to examine the influence of premorbid psychological adjustment on PTSD. Questionnaires were mailed to a population of Vietnam veterans, yielding a sample of 52 veterans who were blocked into four groups in a 2 (social support) by 2 (combat level) design. Home interviews were conducted, and comparisons among the groups were made regarding presence of PTSD symptoms, depression, and other psychological disturbance. Results found that veterans who received high social support reported fewer symptoms, and veterans with high combat trauma reported more symptoms. Generally, a significant interaction between social support and combat level was not found. Premorbid functioning was not found to differ among the four groups, suggesting little relationship to PTSD symptoms.

Trauma in military and civilian settings

“…A study that was conducted among Vietnam War veterans showed that social support was related to a decrease in post-traumatic symptoms (Barrett & Mizes, 1988). Similar studies have been conducted in Israel on the responses to combat among soldiers who served in the Lebanon War, showing that low social support was associated with higher levels of PTSD (Solomon & Mikulincer, 1990;Solomon, Mikulincer, & Aviztzur, 1988).…”

The tsunami and its aftermath in Sri Lanka: Explorations of a Buddhist perspective

“…The support may come from family and friends, or from a wider network. There is empirical evidence that shows the value of this support, as for example shown by Barrett and Mizes (1988) for Vietnam War veterans. Empirical work by Joseph, Williams, Yule and Andrews (1992) in Britain highlights the importance of social support for trauma survivors.…”

The role of social support in exposure therapy for Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom veterans: A preliminary investigation.

“…The only study to demonstrate that self-reported social support was associated with improved PTSD treatment response was conducted with a civilian sample (Thrasher, Power, Morant, Marks, & Dalgleish, 2010). Although members of the social support network are not directly involved in treatment, it is expected that increased support outside of treatment will enhance response due to the protective effect of social support on PTSD symptoms (Barrett & Mizes, 1988; Whealin et al, 2008). …”