The Experience of Killing and Health in Late Life: Findings from Korean Vietnam War Veterans

Abstract

Background: The current study aimed to examine the effects of combat exposure and killing on mental and subjective physical health later in life among Korean Vietnam War veterans.Methods: The data were collected from 342 male veterans with a mean age of 72 years (SD=2.57). Veterans were divided based on their histories into three groups: no experience (Group 1), combat exposure only (Group 2), and both killing and combat exposure (Group 3). Analyses of variance (ANOVAs) examined group differences in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, anxiety symptoms, hostility, and perceived physical health.Results: The ANOVAs showed that PTSD, anxiety symptoms and hostility were most prevalent among the veterans in Group 3 (both killing and combat exposure). No significant differences were found between Groups 1 and 2. Perceived physical health was highest among the veterans in Group 1 (no experience). There were no differences between Groups 2 and 3. Even after controlling for the impacts of optimism and social support after homecoming, these results were similar.Conclusions: The findings indicate that killing experience and combat exposure should be considered in designing interventions for veterans deployed into active combat zones.