Coping Activities in Solitary Confinement of U. S. Navy POWs in Vietnam.

摘要

A questionnaire was developed and administered to 137 Navy repatriated prisoners of war (RPWs) to investigate the usefulness of specific 'time-killing' activities or adaptational strategies for coping with solitary confinement. Factor analysis of the usefulness scores resulted in the derivation of four factors accounting for 32% of the variance: (1) Captor-Captive Relationship, (2) Reliving the Past, (3) Repetitive Behavior, and (4) Self-development Activities. Factor 1 coping activities were rated as most useful, and Factor 3 at least useful. Factor 2 activities were used by mose RPWs during the first few weeks in solitary, while Factor 4 activities were not used until later. In addition, the usefulness of all four factors increased significantly over time. The results were discussed in terms of theoretical formulations emphasizing the individual's need for optimal stimulation. (Author)