Furthermore, the study found that men who fight wars are six times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are more likely to become depressed and have marriage problems than noncombatants.

For the study, Dr. Holly G. Prigerson of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in West Haven, Conn., and her colleagues conducted psychiatric interviews with more than 2,500 men aged 18 to 54. About 7 percent of the participants had been involved in military combat, mostly during the Vietnam War.

The researchers found that exposure to combat accounted for 8 percent of alcohol and drug problems lasting 12 months and 7 percent of major depressive disorders, as well as many job losses, cases of divorce and separation, and partner abuse.

"Current generations that have grown up in peaceful times might not have a realistic appreciation for the risks this study shows they assume when sent off to engage in the fight against terrorism," said Prigerson. "Given these demonstrated high costs individuals assume when fighting for their country and the consequences of letting these psychic wounds go untreated, there exists a public-health interest in providing quality mental-health care to these veterans, and social services such as marriage and occupational counseling to assist them in transitioning back to life as a civilian."

The study is published in the January issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

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