The Prisoner of War: Stress, Illness and Resiliency

The Prisoner of War

“…In order to describe and quantify the stress factors of the Vietnam-era POW experience, Ursano and colleagues reviewed debriefing reports and medical questionnaires completed by repatriated Vietnam-conflict POWs immediately after release. 5 One section of the medical questionnaire included questions on the methods used by the North Vietnamese to control the prisoner's behavior. Each question was answered on a four-point scale that ranged from "never" to "very often."…”

“…Debriefing reports were coded for frequency and type of maltreatment. Using a factor analytic technique, seven stress factors were identified: (1) psychological maltreatment, (2) physical torture and maltreatment, (3) solitary confinement, (4) interrogation, (5) threats and denials of privileges, (6) high resister status, and (7) duration of maltreatment.…”

“…In Vietnam, POWs captured prior to 1969 had both longer captivity and substantially more deprivation, torture, and maltreatment. 5 (4) enlisted personnel captured after 1969. These groups were observed for differences in immediate and delayed post-traumatic psychopathology.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] The degree of severity of a traumatic event is positively associated with potential for psychopathology. 3,[5][6][7][8][9] This is not a one-to-one association, however. Social supports, cultural variables, and personality also play roles.…”

Prolonged Incarceration: Effects on Hostages of Terrorism

“…In one such study, however, the development of psychiatric symptoms, mainly of PTSD was less likely in USAF Viet Nam Veterans who were captured after 1969, when solitary confinement became rare [25]. In the same group of USAF veterans, an increased rate of psychiatric morbidity was evident amongst the pre-1969 shootdowns, with an increased percentage in psychiatric diagnoses, from 23.2% at time of repatriation to 27.1% at five year follow up, while the percentage in the post-1969 group decreased from 23.4% to 19.7%.…”