Ethnic-related stressors in the war zone: case studies of Asian American Vietnam veterans.
Empirical research has shown that exposure to race-related stressors in the military by Asian American Pacific Islander Vietnam veterans, now reliably measurable, contributes uniquely and significantly to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and generalized psychiatric distress; moreover, studies reveal that adverse race-related events can meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. Competence in treating PTSD or general psychiatric distress requires understanding the types of, and effects of, adverse race-related events experienced by ethnic minority veterans. Case studies highlight two types of race-related stressors-"bicultural identification and conflict" and "racial stigmatization"-which placed the veteran at greater risk of death and reduced cohesion with fellow service members. The studies demonstrate the presence of race-related stressors in one or more of the four major types of war zone stressors: traditional combat, atrocities-abusive violence, perceived threat, and malevolent environment. These case studies supplement the empirical findings on race-related stressors and PTSD, enlarging the clinician's understanding of this unique type of mental health risk factor.
Loo
Chalsa M
CM
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, VA Pacific Islands Health Care System, Department of Veterans Affairs, 3375 Koapaka Street, Suite 1-560, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA.
Lim
Brian R
BR
Koff
Gabriel
G
Morton
Robert K
RK
Kiang
Peter N C
PN
D000293:Adolescent; D001213:Asian; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011822:Race Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D047829:Vietnam Conflict