WHEN WAR COMES TO MENS LIVES - LIFE-COURSE PATTERNS IN FAMILY, WORK, AND HEALTH

Men generally come to military service at a time of youth. However, th e Second World War expanded the period of service eligibility from age 18 to the late 30s. Each year of delay in entry promised a smaller re turn from military service (economic and job benefits) and a greater r isk of life disruption and related costs. Using longitudinal data from the Stanford-Terman sample, the authors examine whether social disrup tions resulting from late service entry increased the risk of adverse change in adult health. Apart from preservice factors, the authors fou nd that the late-mobilized men were at greatest risk of negative traje ctories on physical health. Work-life disadvantages account in part fo r this health effect. Pathways that link stress and physical decline a re discussed in relation to social disruption.