INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE AND ITS CORRELATES IN VIETNAM VETERANS WITH CHRONIC POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER

Two studies were conducted to investigate interpersonal violence in Vi etnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In study one , combat veterans with PTSD reported significantly greater occurrence of violent behaviors over the past year (22 acts) Versus combat Vetera ns without PTSD (.2 acts). Combat exposure had an independent positive association with interpersonal violence. In study two. variables rela ted to current interpersonal Violent behavior in 118 PTSD combat Veter ans were evaluated. In rank order of importance, lower socioeconomic s tatus, increased aggressive responding and increased PTSD severity wer e related to interpersonal violence. These results suggest that combat Veterans with PTSD exhibit greater interpersonal Violence than combat veterans without PTSD, and that there are multiple factors in this po pulation which determine Violent behavior. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.