USE OF THE HAND TEST IN THE ASSESSMENT OF COMBAT-RELATED STRESS

This study investigated the effectiveness of the Hand Test in discrimi nating the differential symptomatology of posttraumatic stress (PTS) i n Vietnam combat veterans (VCVs). Participants were 108 VCV outpatient s, 85 of whom met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diso rders (4th ed. [DSM-IV]; American Psychiatric Association, 1994) crite ria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 23 patients that wer e found to meet some, but not the minimum criteria, required for a dia gnosis of PTSD by the DSM-IV. The latter group of patients was classif ied into a subclinical PTSD, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) grou p. Results showed higher levels of overall psychopathology, a vulnerab le capacity for coping, and a tendency for feelings of inadequacy and inferiority in the PTSD group. The PTSD group also exhibited more limi ted interaction with the world around them than the PTSS group, which may be indicative of withdrawal, apathy, or a lack of concern with env ironmental activities and goals. These findings are discussed in relat ion to the assessment, understanding, and treatment of PTS symptomatol ogy and PTSD.