The use of literature (novels, poetry) can both support the psychological evidence we obtain regarding the impact of war, and, in some circumstances, help to develop our understanding. A common way for many people to deal with their traumatic memories is to write them down as a story; this, for some, is an effective way of dealing with memories. It is not just literature, but also films and plays. Perhaps the best-known example of a film director dealing with his own nightmares is Oliver Stone, with his series on the Vietnam War, in which he fought. Several books could be written about the different ways in which traumatised people have dealt with their traumatic experiences by getting their work published. Many other books could explore all the manuscripts that have not been published.

Psychologists have traditionally ignored literature as a potential source of data. Analysis of literary sources can potentially provide psychologists with rich data from which to develop and test psychological theories. The traditional scientific approach of psychology has occasionally been unscientific in focusing too much on methods and too little on examining the theories they are interested in testing. After all, the nature of psychological data can include all behaviours of people, including writing.

Our understanding of the psychological effects of war benefits by a detailed consideration of literature published in the area. Apart from a means of validating theory, it provides an opportunity to explore responses to war trauma in other times and cultures.