Long-term effects of trauma: Post-traumatic stress among civilian internees of the japanese during world war II

Abstract

This study examined predictors and health‐related effects of post‐traumatic stress among 129 civilian internees of the Japanese during World War II. Post‐traumatic stress disorder was noted in 36.7% within the 6 months after their release and in 15.0% within the most recent 6 months. Women were more likely than men to indicate post‐traumatic stress disorder within the 6 months after their release. Higher incomes were associated with lower levels of post‐traumatic stress within the most recent 6 months. After controlling for demographic and internment‐related factors, higher levels of post‐traumatic stress were associated with poorer physical health. This association was stronger among older internees than among their younger counterparts. Implications of the findings for clinical gerontology are discussed.

Trauma Rehabilitation After War and Conflict

“…One is that time is a healer: as the years pass, any detrimental impact of captivity will weaken, and more ex-POWs will recover partly or in full. This view is supported by previous findings of declines in the levels of depression and anxiety among former POWs after approximately a decade (Tennant, Fairley, Dent, Sulway, & Broe, 1997), as well as findings of fewer PTSD symptoms some 50 years after captivity than in the first year post-captivity, as reported retrospectively (Engdahl, Speed, Eberly, & Schwartz, 1991;Potts, 1994).…”

“…The rates are higher than the PTSD rates of 5% (Tennant et al, 1997) and 15% (Potts, 1994) that were found among American POWs in World War II several decades postwar, but those rates are on the low end. Most reports of World War II POWs note rates of 30-76% 40-50 years postwar (Speed, Engdahl, Schwartz, & Eberly, 1989;Sutker & Allain, 1996;Zeiss & Dickman, 1989).…”

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Israeli Ex-Prisoners of War 18 and 30 Years After Release

“…The increase in PTSD in the ex-POWs is consistent with the findings of increased PTSD rates and symptom level over a 4-year measurement interval among older American ex-POWs, 6 but differs from findings of reports of decreased PTSD symptoms over time. 10,11 The differences are probably related to the times of measurement. A previous study 6 found a U-curve pattern, with high PTSD rates immediately after captivity, followed by a gradual decline and then, from midlife onward, a rise in rates.…”

“…This view is supported by previous findings of declines in the levels of depression and anxiety among former POWs after approximately a decade, 9 as well as findings of fewer PTSD symptoms some 50 years after captivity than in the first year postcaptivity, as reported retrospectively. 10,11 The second view is that PTSD is a chronic ailment, in which symptoms will intensify with the passage of time, with the natural decline in the individual's physical and mental condition over the years. This view gains some support from a recent study that found increased PTSD over a 4-year period among former American POWs.…”

Trauma’s “Underground History”

“…Comparable research in civilian populations has lagged behind, partly due to the relative lack of large databases of medical records. A notable exception is the work that has been done to study the effects of concentration camp experiences in the Holocaust and Japanese-American internment in the United States during World War II (Favaro, 1999;Kuch, 1992;Potts, 1994).…”