Abstract:

This exploratory study establishes how the six themes of guilt, abandonment/betrayal, loss, isolation, meaningless, and death anxiety are essential to understanding the experience of Vietnam veterans. These existential themes are described as providing both the context and causation for PTSD symptomology. This dissertation argues that the Vietnam War had existential consequences for veterans that are not being adequately addressed in current clinical theory and treatment.

In-depth interviews were conducted with twelve Vietnam veterans to determined the occurrence and relevance of these six themes. First, the veterans were asked to tell their stories with respect to their Vietnam experience. Seventy-five percent of the participants spontaneously referred to at least four of the six themes, often with considerable depth. Next each veteran was read 33 statements that typical Vietnam veterans might make with regard to the six themes. The respondents were asked whether the statements reflected their experience. The six themes and 33 statements were based on my experience in working with Vietnam veterans in group therapy.

The statements proved to be very effective in eliciting meaningful responses. The veterans' core issues were quickly and clearly revealed. Based on the interviewing experience, a revised interviewing aid was presented for therapeutic use. In conclusion, the existential perspective was found to be essential in addressing the Vietnam veterans' ultimate concerns.