@article{ref1,
title="A qualitative analysis of the experience and impact of killing in hand-to-hand combat",
journal="Journal of Traumatic Stress",
year="2014",
author="Jensen, Peter R. and Simpson, Duncan",
volume="27",
number="4",
pages="468-473",
abstract="A growing body of research suggests that killing during military combat is closely associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as a number of other adverse mental health related conditions (e.g., dissociative experiences, violent behavior, functional impairment). This article provides first-person perspectives on the experiences and impact of killing by service members with the goal of expanding our understanding of the impact of taking a life during war. In audio-recorded phenomenological interviews, 9 service members described their experiences and the subsequent impact of killing during hand-to-hand combat. A description, supported by participant quotations, was constructed to represent the participants' experiences. <br><br>RESULTS suggest the experience and aftermath of taking a life in hand-to-hand combat was disturbing, psychologically stressful, and necessitated some form of coping after the event. Service members who killed in hand-to-hand combat viewed their actions as necessary to preserve their life and that killing in hand-to-hand combat was more emotionally taxing than killing by shooting. Our findings may help to improve providers' understanding of service members' first-person experiences of killing in hand-to-hand combat and thus provide the basis for the development of a connected and genuine relationship with such military clients.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0894-9867",
doi="10.1002/jts.21938",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jts.21938"
}