Stressful and positive experiences of women who served in Vietnam

J Women Aging. 2017 Jan-Feb;29(1):26-38. doi: 10.1080/08952841.2015.1019812. Epub 2016 Jul 18.

Abstract

Experiences of women who served during the Vietnam War have been described in interviews/anecdotal reports but rarely in empirical literature. Potential positive (versus negative) aspects of service or its impact on well-being are seldom considered. We describe stressful and positive experiences reported by approximately 1,300 female military personnel, Red Cross workers, and others deployed to Vietnam. Prominent stressful (e.g., negative living/working conditions) and positive (e.g., interpersonal relationships) themes and differences based on trauma history, Vietnam experiences, and group membership are explored. We evaluate associations between themes and psychological well-being. Findings provide insight into experiences of this understudied group of women.

Keywords: Older women; Vietnam; qualitative; stressful and positive experiences.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Middle Aged
  • Military Personnel / psychology*
  • Occupational Diseases / psychology*
  • Qualitative Research
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • United States
  • Vietnam Conflict*
  • Work / psychology*