Veterans are not the only ones suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms: what do we know about dependents' secondary traumatic stress?

Family accommodation in PTSD: Proposed considerations and distinctions from the established transdiagnostic literature

Accommodation is widely documented and studied among internalizing disorders; however, the conceptualization and study of accommodation in the context of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is relatively nascent. PTSD entails many diagnostic criteria-including exposure to a distinct Criterion A event, emotional numbing, and anger-that may uniquely influence accommodation and merit special consideration. Our aim was to review the impact of accommodation in PTSD, compare and contrast accommodation in PTSD to other disorders with a strong empirical evidence base regarding accommodation, and highlight considerations unique to PTSD and associated implications for accommodation. We conclude by providing considerations for future research and practice.

I'm About to Explode, I'm About to Strangle: Emotional Experiences of Turkish Veterans and Their Spouses Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study is to examine in depth the experiences of Turkish veterans diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and their spouses in the dimension of affective development in the light of their trauma experiences with a qualitative design and phenomenological approach.

METHODS

The study group of the research consisted of 21 veterans diagnosed with PTSD and accepted as veterans, and the spouses of the 21 veterans. The data of the study were collected through in-depth interviews with the participants used a semi-structured interview form (Appendıx). Data analyses were performed used the MAXQDA 2020 software.

RESULTS

Study, the main themes determined as pretraumatic positive emotions and posttraumatic negative emotions. There were 4 themes under negative emotions after trauma and 24 sub-themes under 4 themes.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

As a result of the study, it was understood that trauma experience and PTSD affect the affective development dimension of veterans and their spouses at different levels, and these effects have negative elements. According to these findings, it was determined that veterans and their spouses need psychosocial services that address the affective development dimension.

Long-Term Consequences of War Captivity in Military Veterans

Numerous studies on the health and functioning of veterans and former prisoners of war have shown that the experience of war captivity is one of the most difficult human experiences. Captivity is often characterized by extremely difficult and inhumane conditions, as well as exposure to various forms of both psychological and physical abuse. Such traumatic experiences can lead to serious psychological consequences that can last for years, even decades after release from captivity. The aim of this paper is to present a brief overview of research that points to the specifics of wartime captivity and the long-term psychological consequences in veterans of former camp detainees, as well as the consequences suffered by their families and factors that, apart from the intensity of the trauma, contribute to the emergence and persistence of psychological disorders. From the presented research, it can be concluded that former prisoners of the camp represent an extremely vulnerable group of the social community and require long-term appropriate treatment, while the needs of veterans' families should not be neglected, with the necessity of including spouses and children in psychological and psychosocial treatments.

The Long-Term Effects of Living in a Shared and Continuous Traumatic Reality: The Case of Israeli Families on the Border With Gaza

This article presents a literature review of the concept of intergenerational transmission of traumatic stress among a specific population of Israeli parents and children living near the Israeli/Gaza border, an area that can essentially be viewed as a laboratory of shared, continuous, and stressful reality resulting from ongoing political violence. The Google Scholar database was used to search only for peer-reviewed articles written in English and published between 2002 and 2020, and the particular focus of the study was Israeli families living in the "Gaza envelope": communities that have been on the receiving end of rockets and mortars from Gaza for the past 20 years. The review was based on 35 articles and sheds light on the existence of studies using a variety of perspectives (e.g., psychological, biopsychosocial, and behavioral). Findings demonstrate the effects of continuous stress situations on the family dynamic, even before birth, among this small population. In addition, they show that to understand the unique process of intergenerational trauma transmission in a shared continuous traumatic reality, it is important to adopt a comprehensive perspective so as to understand the reciprocal, long-lasting, and transgenerational effects of being exposed to traumatic stress. This perspective can be used as a basis for developing family intervention strategies that are appropriate for preventing stress outcomes that derive from living in the context of persistent violence.

Experiences of Wives of Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Background

Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) veterans imposes severe stress on relatives especially their wives. Despite of these difficulties these stratum of women suffer insufficient support and less attention. This study aimed to explore the experiences of wives of veterans with PTSD.

Methods

This study was conducted in 2021 using qualitative content analysis approach. Participants were selected purposely from PTSD veterans' wives. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 18 wives of veteran men with PTSD. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data were collected using in-depth and semi-structured interviews, up to the point of data saturation, and were analyzed by Graneheim and Lundman's content analysis method with the support of MAXQDA software.

Findings

Through analysis of transcribed interviews, one theme and 4 categories and 13 sub categories were emerged : The theme called "abandoned in miserable life stream" and categories consist of "living in the cage of grief and regret"; "insufficient support resources"; "marital burnout"; and "self-sacrifice to maintain family cohesion".

Conclusion

The results of this study provide a broad range of context-specific challenges faced by wives of veterans with PTSD. In confronting with full of tensions life and lack of support, wives of veteran with PTSD are neglected and need more attention and support. It is essential for healthcare providers to be aware of the complex psychological and social conditions of wives of veterans with PTSD.

The Aftermath of Trauma and Abuse and the Impact on Family: A Narrative Literature Review

The present narrative review examined quantitative and qualitative research on family members who support survivors of trauma or abuse. Studies included in the present review were found in peer-reviewed journal articles, available in English, published between 1980 and 2019, and focused specifically on the experiences of adult familial supporters of adult trauma and abuse survivors. A search of PsychInfo and Google Scholar identified 136 relevant articles, and analysis of their content generated the following categories: individual-level impacts (i.e., quality of psychological health, burden, secondary traumatic stress, quality of physical health, and positive impacts), interpersonal and environmental level impacts (i.e., quality of relationships with survivors, navigating environment, maltreatment and safety, and social impacts), and other experiences (i.e., social roles, needs, coping strategies, and sociocultural context). Findings indicate that the majority of existing studies examined the experiences of family members of adult survivors of military trauma. Results of the review suggest that family supporters of adult trauma and abuse survivors generally experience physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, social, safety, and relational impacts. Implications of review findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Aging together in the aftermath of war: marital adjustment and subjective age of veterans and their spouses

OBJECTIVES

Trauma has long-term effects on those directly exposed to it, but it also impacts those closest to them, particularly one's spouse, as the marital relationship is of central importance for late-life development. Furthermore, traumatic experiences have been shown to be involved in an acceleration of aging, whether through physical health, or via psychological pathways, through an older subjective age. The present work seeks to examine the mutual connections between marital adjustment and the psychological accelerated aging of both spouses among military veterans of the Israeli 1973 Yom Kippur War.

METHOD

Data from two assessments were drawn from a larger longitudinal study. In 2008 (T1) and again in 2015 (T2), 247 veterans and their wives were interviewed on their subjective age, marital adjustment, and PTSD symptoms.

RESULTS

An actor-partner interdependence model combined with an autoregressive cross-lagged model, controlling for T1 PTSD symptoms revealed that men's subjective age at T1 was associated with women's subjective age at T2, and women's subjective age at T1 was associated with men's subjective age at T2. Women's marital adjustment at T1 was associated with men's marital adjustment at T2 but not the other way around.

CONCLUSION

Spousal relationships are an important arena in the lives of older adult veterans. The present study contributes new knowledge regarding the paths that predict subjective age by taking account of the subjective age of one's spouse, as well as levels of marital adjustment. Insights regarding secondary traumatization, as well as gender differences, for the aging process are discussed.

The mental health and wellbeing of spouses, partners and children of emergency responders: A systematic review

Emergency responders (ERs), often termed First Responders, such as police, fire and paramedic roles are exposed to occupational stressors including high workload, and exposure to trauma from critical incidents, both of which can affect their mental health and wellbeing. Little is known about the impact of the ER occupation on the mental health and wellbeing of their families. The aim of the current study was to investigate what mental health and wellbeing outcomes and experiences have been researched internationally in ER families, and to examine the prevalence and associated risk and protective factors of these outcomes. We conducted a systematic review in accordance with an a priori PROSPERO approved protocol (PROSPERO 2019 CRD42019134974). Forty-three studies were identified for inclusion. The majority of studies used a quantitative, cross-sectional design and were conducted in the United States; just over half assessed police/law enforcement families. Themes of topics investigated included: 1) Spousal/partner mental health and wellbeing; 2) Couple relationships; 3) Child mental health and wellbeing; 4) Family support and coping strategies; and 5) Positive outcomes. The review identified limited evidence regarding the prevalence of mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Family experiences and risk factors described were ER work-stress spillover negatively impacting spousal/partner wellbeing, couple relationships, and domestic violence. Traumatic exposure risk factors included concerns family had for the safety of their ER partner, the negative impact of an ER partners’ mental health problem on the couples’ communication and on family mental health outcomes. Protective factors included social support; however, a lack of organisational support for families was reported in some studies. Study limitations and future research needs are discussed. Progressing this area of research is important to improve knowledge of baseline needs of ER families to be able to target interventions, improve public health, and support ER’s operational effectiveness.

Secondary posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories and perceived health among spouses of war veterans: a 12-year longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE

War-related trauma may indirectly affect veterans' spouses both in terms of secondary posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and negative perceived health. The present study aimed to examine trajectories of secondary PTSS over a twelve-year period and its association with various measures of subjectively perceived health, among spouses of war veterans.

METHODS

Spouses of war veterans (n = 155) were assessed prospectively 30 (T1, 2003), 37 (T2, 2010), and 42 (T3, 2015) years after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Participants completed self-report questionnaires of PTSS (PTSD inventory) in all three measurement waves, while perceived health measures (Short-Form Health Survey-SF-36) were assessed only at T3.

RESULTS

Most spouses were classified to the 'resilient' trajectory with low and stable secondary PTSS over time, followed by recovered, chronic, and delayed onset PTSS trajectories. Importantly, spouses in the 'chronic' and 'delayed' secondary PTSS trajectories reported a higher severity of general negative subjective health perceptions and health-related social malfunctioning.

CONCLUSION

Veterans' spouses who were grouped in the 'chronic' and 'delayed' PTSS trajectories are to be considered as at-risk populations for both PTSS and negative perceived health perceptions. Mental health professionals as well as family physicians should be aware of the ongoing nature of secondary PTSS which might negatively affect veterans' spouses medical conditions and ability to cope with the aging process.

Post-traumatic stress disorder: a psychiatric disorder requiring urgent attention

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe and heterogenous psychiatric disorder that was first defined as a mental disorder in 1980. Currently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and the International Classification of Diseases 11th Edition (ICD-11) offer the most widely accepted diagnostic guidelines for PTSD. In both diagnostic categories, experiencing a traumatic event (TE) is the necessary criterion for diagnosing PTSD. The TEs described in the DSM-5 include actual or threatened death, serious injury, sexual violence, and other extreme stressors, either directly or indirectly. More than 70% of adults worldwide are exposed to a TE at least once in their lifetime, and approximately 10% of individuals develop PTSD after experiencing a TE. The important features of PTSD are intrusion or re-experiencing fear memories, pervasive sense of threat, active avoidance, hyperarousal symptoms, and negative alterations of cognition and mood. Individuals with PTSD have high comorbidities with other psychiatric diseases, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the pathophysiology of PTSD is complex, involving abnormal neural circuits, molecular mechanisms, and genetic mechanisms. A combination of both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is used to treat PTSD, but has limited efficacy in patients with refractory PTSD. Because of the high prevalence, heavy burden, and limited treatments, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that requires urgent attention. In this review, we summarize and discuss the diagnosis, prevalence, TEs, pathophysiology, and treatments of PTSD and draw attention to its prevention.

Treatment dropout among veterans and their families: Quantitative and qualitative findings

BACKGROUND

Psychotherapy noncompletion rates for veterans and their families are high. This study sought to (a) measure noncompletion rates of such patients at a university-based treatment center, (b) compare veteran and family member attrition rates, (c) identify dropout predictors, and (d) explore clinicians' perspectives on treatment noncompletion.

METHOD

Using quantitative and qualitative approaches, we analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics of 141 patients (90 military veterans; 51 family members) in a university treatment center. We defined dropout as not completing the time-limited therapy contract. Reviewing semistructured interview data assessing clinicians' perspectives on their patients' dropout, three independent raters agreed on key themes, with interrater coefficient kappa range .74 to 1.

RESULTS

Patient attrition was 24%, not differing significantly between veterans and family members. Diagnosis of major depression (MDD) and exposure-based therapies predicted noncompletion, as did higher baseline Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) total scores, severe depression (HDRS > 20), lack of Beck Depression Inventory weekly improvement, and history of military sexual trauma. Clinicians mostly attributed noncompletion to patient difficulties coping with intense emotions, especially in exposure-based therapies.

CONCLUSION

Noncompletion rate at this study appeared relatively low compared to other veteran-based treatment centers, if still unfortunately substantial. Patients with comorbid MDD/PTSD and exposure-based therapies carried greater noncompletion risk due to the MDD component, and this should be considered in treatment planning. Ongoing discussion of dissatisfaction and patient discontinuation, in the context of a strong therapeutic alliance, might reduce noncompletion in this at-risk population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

"Brothers in Arms": Secondary Traumatization and Sibling Relationship Quality Among Siblings of Combat Veterans

The aversive impact of exposure to combat and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on family members has been examined mainly among veterans' partners and offspring. No study has examined secondary traumatization in veterans' siblings and the role of relationship quality in these links. The present study aimed to assess secondary PTSD symptoms (PTSS) and general distress among siblings of combat veterans, and the role of sibling relationship quality in the association between veterans' exposure to combat and PTSS and sibling secondary PTSS. A sample of 106 adult dyads of Israeli combat veterans and their closest in age siblings responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional study design. The rates of sibling secondary PTSS and general distress were relatively low. However, veterans' exposure to combat and PTSS were positively related to siblings' secondary PTSS. Importantly, veterans' PTSS mediated the association between veterans' exposure to combat and siblings' secondary PTSS, only among sibling dyads with high levels of warmth and low levels of conflict in their relationship. Furthermore, the inclusion of siblings general distress contributed to heightened sibling secondary PTSS, but only the warmth dimension moderated the link between veterans' PTSS and siblings' secondary PTSS. Findings suggest that veterans' PTSS is implicated in their siblings' secondary PTSS. Veterans' PTSS might also serve as a possible mechanism for the links between exposure to combat and siblings' secondary PTSS. Moreover, relationship quality with a sibling veteran might take a toll in the form of siblings' secondary PTSS following veteran military service.

Participants and Victims of Armed Conflicts and Hostilities Rehabilitation: Issues and Prospects

ABSTRACT

The research purpose of the article is to determine current issues and prospects of rehabilitation of participants and victims of armed conflicts and hostilities in pandemic, postpandemic, and new world's order conditions. By using the dialectical method, theoretical background and current issues of rehabilitation of participants and victims of armed conflicts and hostilities have been investigated, and the modern challenges concerning this issue have been outlined. The article concluded that only a complex repair of health of participants and victims of armed conflicts and hostilities, which, on the one hand, includes medical, physical, psychical practices, and experience for bodily intact ones, and, on the other hand, obligatorily involves the possibility of cyber technology use to be integrated physically into bodily injured ones, may lead to desirable results of their rehabilitation in pandemic and postpandemic conditions of new world's order.

Psychometric Properties of a Simplified Chinese Version of the Secondary Trauma Questionnaire in a Potentially Traumatized Study Sample

BACKGROUND

Screening for secondary traumatic stress (STS) is lacking in China. It is unclear whether Western models of STS can be adapted satisfactorily for use in non-Western regions. The 20-item Secondary Trauma Questionnaire (STQ) is a self-report measure of traumatic stress symptoms in individuals who have been influenced indirectly by suicide or violent injury of people important to the respondents.

METHODS

Here, we assessed the psychometric properties of a newly developed Chinese version of the STQ in a potentially traumatized sample (N = 875) composed of doctors, nurses, teachers, civic administration staff, and social workers in China. We performed reliability and validity analyses. Subsequently, we split the total sample into two subsamples for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for measurement invariance analyses.

RESULTS

The full scale demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.95-0.97), convergent validity, discriminant validity, and factorial validity. CFA affirmed a one-factor structure; the configural, metric, scalar, and strict invariances of the STQ were acceptable across genders.

CONCLUSION

The present results indicate that the STQ is a reliable and valid self-report assessment for use with potentially traumatized people in China, and further supports the notion that the STQ is amenable to additional future cross-cultural adaptation.

Posttraumatic growth among combat veterans and their siblings: A dyadic approach

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to use a dyadic approach to assess the effects of veterans' posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and siblings' secondary PTSS, as well as veterans' and siblings' relationship quality, on primary and secondary posttraumatic growth (PTG).

METHOD

A volunteers' sample of 106 dyads of Israeli combat veterans and their close-in-age siblings responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional, dyadic design study.

RESULTS

Veterans' primary PTG was positively associated with siblings' secondary PTG. Veterans' PTSS and siblings' secondary PTSS were associated with higher levels of primary and secondary PTG, respectively. Furthermore, among veterans, warmth in siblings' relationships was associated with higher levels of primary PTG. However, among siblings, rivalry in sibling relationships was associated with lower levels of secondary PTG.

CONCLUSIONS

Both veterans' and siblings' PTSS are only related to their own PTG. Moreover, perception of siblings' relationship quality might have a differential effect on PTG among veterans and their siblings.

Lifetime PTSD is associated with impaired emotion recognition in veterans and their offspring

PTSD is associated with emotion dysregulation. Studies have found inconsistent impaired facial emotion recognition ability (ERA) in patients with PTSD and intergenerational transmission of PTSD has been reported, although no studies exist regarding ERA. Our objective was to characterise the facial ERA of a group of traumatised war veterans with, and without lifetime PTSD, and also of their respective adult offspring. Sixty-one veterans with, and without lifetime PTSD and 73 offspring were tested for ERA of seven basic facial emotions expressions, 40 years after veterans had been exposed to war-related trauma. Veterans with lifetime PTSD showed impairment of recognition of all emotions, irrespective of the type, when compared with veterans without PTSD. This result was maintained after adjusting for potential confounders-including depressive symptoms. Offspring of veterans with lifetime PTSD also showed impaired recognition of all emotions, including after adjustment for the same variables. Offspring of veterans with lifetime PTSD also showed specific impairment in recognising the emotions of happiness and disgust. These results confirm that PTSD has negative effects with regards to emotion regulation and also on the next generation. This could result in this population being at increased risk of suffering from relationship problems and psychopathology.

British military women: combat exposure, deployment and mental health

BACKGROUND

Internationally, women are about to undertake combat duties alongside their male colleagues. The psychological effect of this policy change is largely unknown.

AIMS

To explore the mental health impact of combat exposure among military women.

METHODS

Self-report, between-subjects survey data were collected in Iraq and Afghanistan on four occasions between 2009 and 2014 (n = 4139). Differences in mental health, stigmatization, deployment experiences, intimate relationship impact, perception of family support levels, unit cohesion, leadership and help-seeking were compared between deployed men and women. Comparisons were repeated with the study sample stratified by level of combat exposure. Outcomes were examined using logistic regression adjusted for socio-demographic, mental health and military factors.

RESULTS

Overall, 4.1% of women and 4.3% of men reported post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (odds ratio (OR) 1.31, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.70-2.46); 22% of women and 16% of men reported symptoms of common mental disorder (CMD) (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.11-2.08). Women were less likely to report mental health-related stigmatization (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53-0.87), negative relationship impact from deployment (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.98) and subjective unit cohesion (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.53-0.90). Help-seeking for emotional problems was similar by gender (OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.84-1.77). Overall, outcomes were minimally impacted by level of combat exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

Although women experienced more CMD symptoms, PTSD symptoms were similar by gender. Subject to confirmation of the study findings, women may not require enhanced mental healthcare during deployment for exposure-based conditions such as PTSD when undertaking the ground close combat role.

Intergenerational transmission of war-related trauma assessed 40 years after exposure

BACKGROUND

The intergenerational transmission of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from parent to offspring has been suggested in the literature, but this is highly controversial. We aimed to study the association between veterans' war exposure and lifetime PTSD and the psychological characteristics of their respective offspring, 40 years after war-related trauma.

METHODS

Forty-four adult offspring of veterans with PTSD and 29 offspring of veterans without PTSD were included in the study, from a total of 46 veterans. War exposure intensity, lifetime PTSD, and the general psychopathology (with Brief Symptom Inventory-BSI) of the veterans were studied, as were childhood trauma, attachment, and the general psychopathology (with BSI) of their offspring.

RESULTS

Veterans' war exposure was associated with BSI in the offspring with regard to somatisation (β = 0.025; CI 0.001, 0.050), phobic anxiety (β = 0.014; CI: 0.000, 0.027), Global Severity Index (GSI) (β = 0.022; CI 0.005, 0.038), and Positive Symptom Distress Index (β = 0.020; CI 0.006, 0.033). The fathers' GSI mediated only 18% of the effect of the veterans' total war exposure on offspring's GSI. Fathers' war exposure was associated with offspring's physical neglect as a childhood adversity, although non-significantly (p = 0.063). None of the other variables was associated with veterans' war exposure, and veterans' lifetime PTSD was not associated with any of the variables studied.

CONCLUSIONS

The offspring of war veterans showed increased psychological suffering as a function of their fathers' war exposure intensity, but not of their fathers' lifetime PTSD. These results could be used to suggest that mental health support for veterans' offspring should consider the war exposure intensity of their fathers, and not just psychopathology. This could spare offspring's suffering if this mental health support could be delivered early on, after veterans return from war.

Impact of paternal deployment to the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and paternal post-traumatic stress disorder on the children of military fathers

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the social and emotional well-being of children whose fathers have been deployed to the conflicts in Iraq/Afghanistan or who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).AimsTo examine the emotional and behavioural well-being of children whose fathers are or have been in the UK armed forces, in particular the effects of paternal deployment to the conflicts in Iraq or Afghanistan and paternal PTSD.

METHOD

Fathers who had taken part in a large tri-service cohort and had children aged 3-16 years were asked about the emotional and behavioural well-being of their child(ren) and assessed for symptoms of PTSD via online questionnaires and telephone interview.

RESULTS

In total, 621 (67%) fathers participated, providing data on 1044 children. Paternal deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan was not associated with childhood emotional and behavioural difficulties. Paternal probable PTSD were associated with child hyperactivity. This finding was limited to boys and those under 11 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that adverse childhood emotional and behavioural well-being was not associated with paternal deployment but was associated with paternal probable PTSD.Declaration of interestN.T.F. is a trustee of the Warrior Programme, a charity supporting ex-service personnel and their families. She is also a member of the Independent Group Advising on the Release of Data (IGARD). S.W. is a trustee of Combat Stress, a charity supporting ex-service personnel and their families, and President of the Royal Society of Medicine. S.W. is partially funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Emergency Preparedness and Response at King's College London in partnership with Public Health England (PHE), in collaboration with the University of East Anglia and Newcastle University.

Systematic review of mental health disorders and intimate partner violence victimisation among military populations

PURPOSE

There is growing awareness of the problem of intimate partner violence (IPV) among military populations. IPV victimisation has been shown to be associated with mental disorder. A better understanding of the link between IPV and mental disorder is needed to inform service development to meet the needs of military families. We aimed to systematically review the literature on the association between IPV victimisation and mental health disorders among military personnel.

METHODS

Searches of four electronic databases (Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) were supplemented by reference list screening. Heterogeneity among studies precluded a meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were included. There was stronger evidence for an association between IPV and depression/alcohol problems than between IPV and PTSD. An association between IPV and mental health problems was more frequently found among veterans compared to active duty personnel. However, the link between IPV and alcohol misuse was more consistently found among active duty samples. Finally, among active duty personnel psychological IPV was more consistently associated with depression/alcohol problems than physical/sexual IPV. The review highlighted the lack of research on male IPV victimisation in the military.

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence that the burden of mental health need may be significant among military personnel who are victims of IPV. The influence of attitudes towards gender in the military on research in this area is discussed. Further research is needed to inform development of services and policy to reduce IPV victimisation and the mental health consequences among military personnel.