Long-Term Consequences of War Captivity in Military Veterans

Abstract

Numerous studies on the health and functioning of veterans and former prisoners of war have shown that the experience of war captivity is one of the most difficult human experiences. Captivity is often characterized by extremely difficult and inhumane conditions, as well as exposure to various forms of both psychological and physical abuse. Such traumatic experiences can lead to serious psychological consequences that can last for years, even decades after release from captivity. The aim of this paper is to present a brief overview of research that points to the specifics of wartime captivity and the long-term psychological consequences in veterans of former camp detainees, as well as the consequences suffered by their families and factors that, apart from the intensity of the trauma, contribute to the emergence and persistence of psychological disorders. From the presented research, it can be concluded that former prisoners of the camp represent an extremely vulnerable group of the social community and require long-term appropriate treatment, while the needs of veterans’ families should not be neglected, with the necessity of including spouses and children in psychological and psychosocial treatments.

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Rehabilitation of the Former Prisoners of War

“…Our research revealed a significant correlation between reduced emotional intelligence and decreased subjective well-being, thereby impeding the efficacy of rehabilitation interventions among POWs. The findings are consistent with Jukić et al [5] study, which demonstrated that psychological and social rehabilitation outcomes were contingent upon the emotional state of POWs.…”

“…Difficult experiences in the case of longterm captivity result in a depletion of the desire to continue living as well as suicidal thoughts. Therefore, captivity is considered one of the most difficult experiences of an individual [5]. All military personnel of NATO undergo the SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape) course as part of basic training, which is aimed at learning survival skills in the event of captivity as well as reducing stress thereafter [11].…”

“…Traumatic experiences as a result of captivity leave a significant mark on the prisoners' mental health; these encounters possess a detrimental impact on interpersonal connections, eroding faith in the surroundings and individuals, including the loved ones [4]. However, if the first psychological aid is provided during the first two weeks, then the stage of physical and psychological recovery can be quite successful [5].…”