been in combat can suffer from the after effects of trauma their entire
lives, according to a new research study from the University of Florida
Even those in old age talk about their experiences in combat as if they were yesterday.
These
are significant findings because of the many men and women who have
been in combat at a rate that exceeds the length of time military was in
combat during World War II.
are significant findings because of the many men and women who have
been in combat at a rate that exceeds the length of time military was in
combat during World War II.
UF sociologist Monika Ardelt
tells us,“The study shows that we really need to take care of our
veterans when they arrive home, because if we don’t, they may have
problems for the rest of their lives,” she said. “Yet veterans report
they are facing long waiting lines at mental health clinics and
struggling to get the services they need.”
tells us,“The study shows that we really need to take care of our
veterans when they arrive home, because if we don’t, they may have
problems for the rest of their lives,” she said. “Yet veterans report
they are facing long waiting lines at mental health clinics and
struggling to get the services they need.”
This
study was long term groups of soldiers who had been in combat with
those who had not, over a 60-year period. The results were startling.
study was long term groups of soldiers who had been in combat with
those who had not, over a 60-year period. The results were startling.
What
researchers learned was how heavy combat at a young age negatively
impacts people both physically and mentally well into advanced age.
researchers learned was how heavy combat at a young age negatively
impacts people both physically and mentally well into advanced age.
The results are in the latest issue of Research on Human Development.
The
value of this study was to let folks know how important it is for
veterans to receive treatment, especially those who have been subjected
to serious battle action.
value of this study was to let folks know how important it is for
veterans to receive treatment, especially those who have been subjected
to serious battle action.
The stress of battle, however, leads to the ability to be reflective on life in general, allowing for personal growth.
Ardelt
said“, can either conclude that God has abandoned you, the world is an
unfair place and there is nothing else to do but close yourself off from
it all or you can manage to open yourself up and develop compassion for
the suffering of others realizing that you have now become a part of
it,” she said.
said“, can either conclude that God has abandoned you, the world is an
unfair place and there is nothing else to do but close yourself off from
it all or you can manage to open yourself up and develop compassion for
the suffering of others realizing that you have now become a part of
it,” she said.
But
some of the veterans had more difficulty than other, with those in the
Middle East Wars and Vietnam experiencing particular problems,
especially involving drug abuse.
“In
some ways, it was probably easier for World War II veterans because
that was a war supported by all the American people and the men were
celebrated as liberators when they came home,” Ardelt said. “Although
not as bad as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iran are wars that we just want
to forget.”
some ways, it was probably easier for World War II veterans because
that was a war supported by all the American people and the men were
celebrated as liberators when they came home,” Ardelt said. “Although
not as bad as Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iran are wars that we just want
to forget.”
Even
though effects from heavy combat could be long lasting, the
well-educated World War II veterans studied were likely better off than
today's veterans according to Ardelt.probably much better off than
today’s veterans, Ardelt said, with their education allowing them better
problem-solving skills and allowed them to serve in better positions
than the average military person.
though effects from heavy combat could be long lasting, the
well-educated World War II veterans studied were likely better off than
today's veterans according to Ardelt.probably much better off than
today’s veterans, Ardelt said, with their education allowing them better
problem-solving skills and allowed them to serve in better positions
than the average military person.
“Because this was a very privileged
sample, I would be even more concerned about the people who are coming
home now, who are not necessarily privileged and joined the army for
economic reasons,” she said.
sample, I would be even more concerned about the people who are coming
home now, who are not necessarily privileged and joined the army for
economic reasons,” she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Say something constructive. Negative remarks and name-calling are not allowed.