ABSTRACT
Is there a higher rate of mental disorder—aside from post-traumatic stress disorder—among Vietnam theater veterans than among Vietnam era veterans or similar aged civilians? This question provides the focus for Chapter VI, and in addressing it, several related issues must be considered. Do we find similar rates for males and females? Is there a relationship between war-zone stress and mental disorders, aside from that found for PTSD? Do rates vary according to race or ethnicity?
In assessing the prevalence of mental disorders among Vietnam veterans, this study has been more comprehensive than previous studies on the subject. First, it was a national study rather than one conducted at a few select sites in the country, and it estimated rates of disorder for theater veterans and era veterans separately. Second, the study looked at the entire population of Vietnam veterans, that is, men and women from all services, enlisted and officer, career and one term. It is the only study to have developed prevalence rates of mental disorder for female veterans, and it is the first to examine differences in rate by race and ethnicity, and by levels of exposure to war-zone stress. Finally, this study is unique in its use of civilians who were matched (demographically) to theater veterans, and its use of statistical weighting procedures to compensate for (demographic) differences among theater veterans, era veterans, and civilians.
Establishing the relative rates of mental disorders for various veteran and civilian groups can help us to understand better the factors that affect the development of mental disorder. It can also aid in the determining of the level of need for mental health services by Vietnam veterans.
