Military
War can have a powerful psychological impact on participants and civilians alike.
Combat can lead to distress or even post-traumatic stress disorder, which is marked by extreme worry, re-experiencing of the event and avoidance of things reminiscent of the trauma.
Prolonged separation from family and friends can also cause problems.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
For activities and resources for psychologists working with soldiers and veterans, visit APA's Military and Veteran Issues page.
What You Can Do
- Resilience in a time of war
Learn how to manage stress and uncertainty related to war.
- Resilience in a time of war: Homecoming
Learn how to cope, recognize warning signs, address children’s needs and more.
- Resilience in a time of war: Wartime stress and teens
Wartime stress can overwhelm teens, especially those with relatives in the military or friends in ROTC.
Getting Help
- Find a Psychologist
- Mental Health and Related Resources for Assisting Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
A comprehensive list of resources available from the VA, Department of Defense and other organizations.
- Anxiety disorders and effective treatment
Psychologists can help individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety problems recover.
- Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents & day-care providers of preschool children
Although you may think they’re too young to understand, even very young children can become frightened after seeing the news or overhearing conversations.
- Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of middle school children
Just as your child learns reading and writing, he or she can learn the skills of resilience.
- Resilience in a time of war: Tips for parents and teachers of teens
Teens look to parents and teachers to make them feel safe in a time of war.
- Community support for military families: Lending a helping hand this Fourth of July
Learn how you can express gratitude and show support to military spouses and children.
News
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Military service enhances marriage stability
May 11, 2012, Psych Central
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Rape victims say military labels them 'crazy'
April 14, 2012, CNN
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More women vets are homeless, but resources scarce
April 9, 2012, CBS News
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Gay pride groups appear at U.S. military academies
March 31, 2012, CNN
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Financial struggles common among military families
March 25, 2012, CBS News
Monitor on Psychology Articles
- Helping veterans and their families
May 2012
- Help for struggling veterans
March 2012
- A history of treatment courts
March 2012
- A psychodynamic treatment for PTSD shows promise for soldiers
March 2012
- Mission: Afghanistan
March 2012
- Suicide risk is high among war veterans in college, study finds
October 2011
Books
- Caring for Veterans With Deployment-Related Stress Disorders
January 2011
- Deployment Psychology
October 2010
- Wheels Down
August 2010
- Ethical Practice in Operational Psychology
August 2010
