Men who fought in World War II or in Korea experience lower rates of post-traumatic stress disorders than those who served in Vietnam, possibly because they can see more desirable consequences, say two UC Davis scholars. Seeing the war years in a more positive light may have lowered their rates of such disorders, say Carolyn Aldwin, associate professor, and Michael Levenson, research psychologist, of UC Davis' program in human development and family studies. In their study, those who saw the heaviest combat reported more negative effects, including combat anxieties, loss of friends and witnessing of death and destruction; some continue to experience stress disorder symptoms, even 50 years later. Yet, the World War II and Korean War vets in the study generally described the consequences of their military experiences in a surprisingly upbeat way, citing maturity, broadened perspectives, coping skills and self-discipline. Aldwin is the author of a forthcoming book examining how different coping strategies may alter long-term consequences of stress.