JOURNAL ARTICLE

Soldiers can cope with killing.

  • Published In: Mental Health Weekly Digest, 2025. P. 733 1 of 2

  • Database: Psychology Source 2 of 2

Abstract

A study of over 14,600 soldiers found that killing another person may not harm a soldier's mental health if the circumstances justified it. The research, conducted by Commander Nordstrand and his team, revealed that the impact of taking a life in combat on mental well-being is highly context-dependent. The study compared Norwegian veterans from Lebanon and Afghanistan, showing that the mission's nature and group norms play a significant role in determining the long-term effects of killing in combat. The findings challenge the belief that taking a life is inherently harmful and emphasize the importance of understanding the rules of engagement and societal expectations when sending soldiers on dangerous missions. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Mental Health Weekly Digest. 2025/04, p733
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Psychology
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1543-6616
  • Accession Number:184249985
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