PREDICTORS OF CHRONIC STRESS AMONG VIETNAM VETERANS - STRESSOR EXPOSURE AND INTRUSIVE RECALL

The present study examined the relationship between military service d uring the Vietnam era and chronic stress among Vietnam combat veterans , noncombat military controls, and nonmilitary age-mates. Psychologica l, behavioral, and biochemical indices of stress were assessed. Result s demonstrated that exposure to combat was not associated with symptom s of chronic stress. However, reported intrusiveness of recalled image ry associated with stressful combat events was an important predictor of long-term symptoms of stress irrespective of combat exposure. In ad dition, the interaction of combat exposure and intrusive thinking was significantly related to symptoms of chronic stress. These data sugges t that intrusive thinking may reflect an important individual differen ce variable that could help predict long-term responding to stressors.