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This pamphlet provides a summary of the educational benefits available to Vietnam veterans under Chapter 32 of Title 38 U.S. Code, Public Law 101-237, the Veterans Educational Assistance Program. The pamphlet, in question and answer format, includes information to help in understanding how qualified persons can receive payments under the program, and offers suggestions on where to go to for help and to get more detailed information. Specific areas cover such questions as: eligibility, how long educational assistance is available, how much assistance one can receive, types of training allowed and the restrictions that exist, counseling availability, criteria for continuing financial support, and recipient responsibilities regarding enrollment changes and payment discrepancies. (GLR)

Although extensive research has focused upon the adjustment problems of the veterans of the Vietnam conflict, little data is available concerning their children. The purpose of this study was to provide a description of the adolescent children who have lived with Vietnam combat veteran fathers, comparing them (on the basis of social and personal adjustment, relationship with their parents, personality development, and a few personal choices and opinions) with a control group of children whose fathers were not in Vietnam. The experimental group, consisting of 14 girls and 14 boys from a high school in West Virginia, and a control group of equal size, age, and gender were compared on grade point average, school absences, achievement test scores, the Behavior Rating Profile, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Child's Attitude Toward Father and Mother, the High School Personality Questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire. The results indicated that the children of combat veterans were significantly more troubled. More specific information concerning the child's perceptions of the problem areas and family dynamics would be particularly valuable. Just as their fathers deserve special recognition for the sacrifices which they have made, so their children are entitled to careful observation to detect possible impairment and a more comprehensive investigation into the issue of secondary traumatization. (ABL)

A study of a subculture of Vietnam veterans on the Florida State University campus in 1989 uncovered a small, informal, and low-key group of men and women. The literature showed that the returning Vietnam veteran faced negative images and was a student misfit; the college experience of many was one of quiet desperation as they attempted to escape the image many people had of them; military duty had a negative effect upon post-military achievement; and this population faced special post-war readjustment problems. Information was gathered about the support group of Vietnam veteran students by observing and interacting with them. Several members completed a brief survey instrument that collected demographic details. The group met on an irregular basis to share the camaraderie of their military and college experiences. The primary purpose of the group was to provide social, academic, and emotional support for each other. Members had concerns similar to other students--education, careers, future jobs, welfare of their children, and the manner in which they are able to get their needs met. One purpose of the study was to assess the extent to which Vietnam veteran students had recovered from their wartime experiences and how well they were integrated into society. Positive answers to both concerns reflected the tenacity of these veterans. (Appendixes include a taxonomy of subculture language used by Vietnam veterans, the survey instrument, and a list of 15 references.) (YLB)

A study of "causal" communication, the communication of attribution-related information, investigated the relationship of exposure to mass media (especially film) depictions of Vietnam veterans to perceived causes for the problems facing a number of Vietnam veterans. The study further extends attribution theory to social interaction and communication contexts. A sample survey of 355 adults (age 18 and over) in the Milwaukee metropolitan area was conducted by telephone in April 1988. A content analysis found some mass media and interpersonal communication relationships with internal and external attributions for Vietnam veterans' problems. Attributions for the cause of a problem do seem related to preferred solutions. It appears that interpersonal communication could be affecting attributions. Mass communication may also be affecting attributional schemata under certain circumstances. Results indicated the impact of experience on media relationships with attributions was more complex than anticipated. There may still be enough uncertainty about how to deal with the memory of the Vietnam War, and with its veterans, that even the more experienced might still be seeking attributions. (Four tables of data are included, and 41 references are attached.) (MG)

Structural equation modeling was used to examine relationships among prewar factors, dimensions of war-zone stress, and current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology using data from 1,632 female and male participants in the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. Discusses research findings. Recommends more attention be given to critical developmental conditions in conceptualizing PTSD in adults. (KW)

Examines the life-course sequencing hypothesis that marriage before military service has a greater disruptive effect on marital stability than marriage during or after military service. Used event-history data from a 13-year panel study of 2,857 white males from Washington State high schools in 1966. Compares Vietnam combat veterans (n=610), Vietnam-era veterans (n=581), and nonveterans (n=1,666). Discusses findings. (KW)

Clinical studies suggest individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PSD) experience neuroendocrine systems alterations, resulting in significantly lower plasma cortisol. To test this hypothesis, morning serum cortisol was compared among a national sample of Vietnam "theater" veterans (n=2,490) and a sample of Vietnam "era" veterans (n=1,972) without service in Vietnam. Discusses findings. Makes recommendations for future research. (KW)

The effectiveness of a national counseling program for Australian Vietnam veterans was evaluated by comparing the symptom levels of 146 clients with those of 546 matched nonclient controls. Multivariate analyses show that the positive effects of the counseling are most apparent in areas of alcohol dependence and dyadic adjustment. (SLD)

Treatment of nightmares in two Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder was conducted comparing a drawing task with a writing task. In a 12-week intervention in which drawing and writing were alternated, both subjects reported reduction in frequency and intensity of their nightmares in the drawing condition. (JPS)

Presents model that can be employed in working with Vietnam veterans experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Incorporates cognitive, behavioral, and interactional components and focuses on helping veterans to identify schemas that are related to five areas of psychological and interpersonal functioning: safety, trust, power, esteem, and intimacy. (JBJ)

Assessed 232 Vietnam veterans for suicidal thinking and behaviors and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression. Findings support notion that suicidal thoughts are prevalent in this group, with veterans in psychotherapy reporting greater likelihood of such symptoms than veterans in community or those seeking assistance through veteran's outreach center. (Author/NB)

Factor analyses evaluated the dimensionality of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder using three subsamples of over 2,200 Vietnam veterans. Results suggest that the latent structure of the scale is best represented as an umbrella factor leading to four subsidiary facets or dimensions. (SLD)

Participants responded to a series of psychological, exposure and health questionnaires. Results suggest that effects of traumatic exposure on perceived health are partially mediated by increases in PTSD after exposure, supporting studies on the effects of stress on health. (BF)

Item response theory and the graded response model were used to examine measurement qualities of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, with data from 2,348 veterans (participants in the National Vietnam Veteran's Adjustment Study). Implications for improved assessment of posttraumatic stress disorder are discussed. (SLD)

Reviews evolution of the concept of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder and analyzes reports of Vietnam veterans' reactions to the Persian Gulf War. Presents case study of Vietnam veteran whose traumatic memories were reawakened with the onset of the Persian Gulf War, and discusses implications for social work practice. (Author/NB)

Administered NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) and Combat Exposure Scale to 100 Vietnam veterans with combat-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and sorted subjects into three groups based on trauma exposure level. Found no significant differences among personality profiles of three trauma-exposed groups. Revealed normative NEO-PI profile for subjects, characterized by extremely high Neuroticism score and extremely low Agreeableness score. (Author/NB)

The Vietnam Era GI Bill was clearly influenced by the social and educational success of World War II veterans, but also reflected the policy objectives of equity and access of the 1960's. A 1987 monograph by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reported that 60% of all Vietnam Era veterans received some training benefit from the GI Bill, but the survey did not address the percentage who finished their training. Other research, in fact, suggests that participation in postsecondary education using the GI Bill is problematic for Vietnam veterans, and that, despite high motivation, many veterans had a more difficult time realizing their educational goals than did veterans of previous wars. Reasons may include the following: (1) the ambiguous nature of the Vietnam War was not conducive to developing stable and mature adults, and difficult psychological and social adjustments were required of veterans returning to a critical American society; (2) the nature of combat in Vietnam led to an incidence of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) estimated at 15.2% of all male theater veterans; and (3) Vietnam veterans received about 50% less in relative benefits than World War II veterans, forcing Vietnam veterans to work while attending college. A recent study of 1,006 Vietnam veterans found that financial constraints were the primary reason that veterans decided not to attend college on the GI Bill or discontinued their enrollment before graduation. Of those who attended college, only 47% completed their educational goals, with minority veterans and veterans with PTSD achieving their goals at even lower rates. Now that the Vietnam Era GI Bill has expired, community colleges represent the best hope for a third chance at education for Vietnam veterans, who need the caring expertise of community colleges more than ever. (AC)

Describes student demonstrations on the night that U.S. planes bombed Iraq in the Persian Gulf War. Compares attitudes and feelings to the Vietnam War era. Concludes that the students incorrectly supported the Gulf War action. (CFR)

It has been documented that exposure to severe and prolonged stress can result in emotional disturbances which may last for decades. Research has focused on the diagnosis of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), symptoms of which include flashbacks, increased startle response, interpersonal withdrawal, suspiciousness, impulsivity, and irritability. This study compared veterans (N=120) from World War II (WWII) and the Vietnam War with and without the diagnosis of PTSD. The Symptom Checklist 90-Revised version was completed by WWII veterans who had been prisoners of war (POWs) (N=30) and met the criteria for PTSD; WW II veterans (N=30) who did not meet the criteria for PTSD; Vietnam combat veterans (N=30) diagnosed with PTSD; and non-PTSD Vietnam combat veterans (N=30) who had been treated for other psychiatric disorders. Both WWII and Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD reported greater distress than non-PTSD veterans. Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD reported significantly greater global distress, and obtained greater distress scores on 8 of 9 subscales of the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised than the WWI ex-POWs. The two groups rated their anxiety levels about the same. Only on the somatization scale, which measures physical symptoms distress and concerns, did ex-POWs score higher, which is consistent with greater age and associated physical complications. Thus it appears that veterans with PTSD who had different combat and cohort experiences may not present the same symptom pictures. (BHK)