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- Title
The Vietnam Veteran on Trial: The Relation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to Criminal Behavior.
- Authors
Wilson, John P.; Zigelbaum, Sheldon D.
- Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize the relationship of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Vietnam veterans to criminal behavior. A conceptual framework is discussed which proposes that the disposition to criminal behavior is determined by whether or not the veteran enters into the survivor mode of functioning as a behavioral defense mechanism against the disorder. It is hypothesized that there exists a relationship between the severity of PTSD and the tendency to commit illegal acts. The Vietnam Era Stress Inventory (Wilson and Krauss, 1980) was used to assess PTSD among a volunteer national sample of Vietnam combat veterans (N = 114) participating in the Veterans Administration's counseling program known as Operation Outreach. The results strongly supported the hypothesis and indicated that combat role variables, exposure to stressors in Vietnam and the severity of PTSD were significantly correlated with criminal acts.
- Subjects
VIETNAM; VIETNAM veterans; POST-traumatic stress disorder; TRAUMATIC neuroses; FORENSIC psychiatry; TRAUMATISM
- Publication
Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 1983, Vol 1, Issue 3, p69
- ISSN
0735-3936
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1002/bsl.2370010308