DECLINING PREVALENCE OF PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDER IN OLDER FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR

The aim of this study was to examine change in the prevalence of psych iatric disorders over a decade late in the lives of ex-prisoners of wa r (POWs) and nonprisoner veterans of World War II. In 1982-83 we drew a random sample of POWs and non-POWs living in Sydney, Australia. They were interviewed by a psychiatrist at that time and again 9 years lat er. They also completed self-rating anxiety and depression scales. Anx iety disorders were the most prevalent and declined by half from 32.7% at the first interview to 16.8% 9 years later (p < .001) whereas the prevalence of depressive disorders fell by two-thirds from 26.9% to 8. 7% (p < .001). In POWs the prevalence of both anxiety and depression d eclined more markedly than in non-POWs. Consistent changes also occurr ed in scores on the self-rating anxiety and depression scales. The psy chological impact of these POWs' tragic wartime experience had at last begun to dim after nearly 50 years.