Social factors in combat fatigue.

In the study reported here certain social data which were taken from social-psychiatric histories of Navy men diagnosed combat fatigue were considered in relation to combat fatigue and also in relation to the severity of the illness as determined by a neuropsychiatrist. These data included Navy test scores and personal, educational, occupational, health, nationality, religious, and familial information. Seven case studies were also presented in the investigation to illustrate the hypothesis that the development of combat fatigue is related to the degree of group cohesion as revealed in interpersonal relations. Particular attention was given to the patient's description of stressful situations which he had experienced in recent combat and while on leave after return to the United States.