Citation

Begić D, Jokić-Begić N. Mil. Med. 2001; 166(8): 671-676.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Zagreb, KBC Rebro, Kispatićeva 12, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11515314

Abstract

The incidence of aggression and violent behavior in combat veterans varies and can be observed with regard to the presence or absence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Significantly greater occurrence of aggression was observed in combat veterans with PTSD compared with those without PTSD. There are various types of aggressive behavior that frequently are combined. Autoaggressive (suicidal) and heteroaggressive (interpersonal violence) behaviors predominate, with dominating verbal aggression and impulsive somatic reactions. Impulsive reactions are more frequently directed toward unknown persons, whereas verbal aggression is mostly aimed at known people. In the occurrence of aggressive behavior in combat veterans with PTSD, important roles are played by education level, low socioeconomic status, maltreatment in childhood, and previous types of violent behavior (before participation in war events).

Language: en