The authors examined the relationship between 100 Viet Nam veterans'
self-reported and objectively determined exposure to the herbicide Agent
Orange and the relationship between self- or objective ratings and
self-reported psychological and medical problems. Veterans who believed
they had been exposed reported more psychological and medical problems than
the other veterans but did not differ on "success at living" indices; the
medical problems many reported suggested psychosomatic etiologies. Grouped
according to objective ratings of herbicide exposure, the veterans did not
show such differences in psychological or medical problems. No differences
on neuropsychological testing appeared, no matter how the subjects were
grouped.
Abstract Teaser