Life-Course Mental Health Differences between Korean Era Veterans Who Served in the Korean Conflict and Those Who Served Elsewhere?

The 2.9 million Korean era veterans constitute 12% of all living US veterans. Yet, relatively little is known about the long-term effects of military service in Korea on mental health, or on needs for mental health services. We used a nationally representative survey of veterans to examine measures of mental health well-being, to estimate the prevalence and treatment of diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and to estimate use of other mental health services. Our research question was: drawing on life-course theory, among a cohort of Korean era veterans, how does mental health, and use of mental health services, differ between those who served in the Korean Conflict and those who served elsewhere during the era? Multivariate models controlled for individual characteristics (age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, occupational status, environmental exposures, and physical health). All analyses were weighted for national representation. Korea era veterans in the sample (n=4,030): 1,498 served in Korea; 2,532 served elsewhere. The prevalence of diagnosed PTSD was 5.5% for those serving in Korea, 2.0% for others (p<0.0001). Adjusted odds of being treated for PTSD were more than 2 times greater for those who served in Korea (OR, 2.02, p<0.0001) and also notably more likely to take less care in daily activities due to emotional problems (OR 1.31) (p<.001). As Korean veterans continue to age, it is likely that they will continue to need substantial mental health services. Policymakers and practitioners need to plan for services to address these needs; for this cohort specifically and all subsequent aging cohorts.