Residuals of War: Families of Prisoners of War and Servicemen Missing in Action.

摘要

This paper is an overview of a study which examined the nature and extent of adjustment problems experienced by families of servicemen missing in action or prisoners of war. A total of 215 Army, Navy, and Marine Corps PW/MIA families were interviewed approximately one year prior to the release of the prisoners. Through personal, in-depth interviews, data were collected on demographic factors, as well as psychological, social, and medical factors conceivably related to family and individual adjustment. Results indicated: (1) the normal patterns of coping with father/husband absence were disturbed by the unprecedented and indeterminate length of his absence; and (2) that much of the social acceptance, stability and continuity which is taken for granted in the intact family was lacking or severely taxed in the PW/MIA family. Health care services to these families is discussed. (Author)