Spirituality and time perspectives in Vietnam combat veterans with and without post traumatic stress disorder: A comparative study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare spirituality and subjective sense of time passage between Vietnam combat veterans diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and those without PTSD. Rogers' Principle of Helicy provided a theoretical perspective for the study. The abrupt interactive repatterning that may occur under the extreme conditions of combat can be translated into compromised abilities of the combat veteran to assume an acceptable lifestyle once he is out of the combat situation. A population of 32 Vietnam combat veterans answered questionnaires regarding their perspectives on spirituality and subjective sense of time. It was hypothesized that these variables may differ significantly among Vietnam combat veterans with and without PTSD. Findings revealed a statistically significant difference in sense of time in Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD compared to those without PTSD. There was, however, no significant difference in spiritual perspective when these same groups were compared.