The toll of war captivity: Vulnerability, resilience, and premature aging

Zahava Solomon*, Avi Ohry

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

It is apparent from clinical experience and the literature that persons, who experience severe physical or mental trauma, are susceptible to premature aging (or psychological symptomatology). Long-term follow-up of repatriated prisoners of war also confirm this observation. Coping with physical and mental sequelae of captivity means a constant struggle to maintain some kind of homeostasis. Often, this delicate equilibrium fails. Claude Bernard stated that To have a free life, independent of the external environment, requires a constant internal environment (Bernard, 1957, P. 8). This is the underlying principle of homeostasis. When it collapses due to wear and tear processes, premature aging/morbidity process takes place.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationTrauma Rehabilitation After War and Conflict
Subtitle of host publicationCommunity and Individual Perspectives
PublisherSpringer New York
Pages361-387
Number of pages27
ISBN (Print)9781441957214
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

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