Psychological and relationship distress among partners of civilian PTSD patients

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.

Overt Social Support Behaviors: Associations With PTSD, Concurrent Depressive Symptoms and Gender

Women are twice as likely as men to develop a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Gender differences in social support after a traumatic event might partially explain this disparity. However, the portrait of the links among PTSD, depression, social support, and gender is still unclear. This study examined behaviors of individuals with PTSD and their significant other in relation to PTSD and concurrent depressive symptoms, and tested gender as a moderator of these associations. Observed overt supportive and countersupportive behaviors of 68 dyads composed of an individual with PTSD and a significant other in a trauma-oriented discussion were coded with a support coding system and analyzed according to gender. Gender was revealed to act as a moderator of the links between interactional behaviors of individuals with PTSD and their concurrent depressive symptoms. More specifically, women were less implicated and less likely to propose positive solutions compared with men. On the other hand, men were more implicated and less likely to criticize their significant other than were women. PTSD and concurrent depressive symptoms were related to poorer interpersonal communication in women. Hence, women and men with PTSD and concurrent depressive symptoms might benefit from gender-tailored interventions targeting symptoms and dyadic behaviors.

Prospective study of police officer spouse/partners: a new pathway to secondary trauma and relationship violence?

INTRODUCTION

It has been reported that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with secondary spouse/partner (S/P) emotional distress and relationship violence.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationships between PTSD, S/P emotional distress and relationship violence among police recruits using a prospective design.

METHODS

Two hypotheses were tested in 71 S/Ps: (1) Police officer reports of greater PTSD symptoms after 12 months of police service will be associated with greater secondary trauma symptoms among S/Ps; (2) Greater secondary trauma symptoms among S/Ps at 12 months will be associated with S/P reports of greater relationship violence.

METHODS

71 police recruits and their S/Ps were assessed at baseline and 12 months after the start of police officer duty. Using linear and logistic regression, we analyzed explanatory variables for 12 month S/P secondary traumatic stress symptoms and couple violence, including baseline S/P variables and couple violence, as well as exposure and PTSD reports from both S/P and officer.

RESULTS

S/P perception of officer PTSD symptoms predicted S/P secondary traumatic stress. OS/P secondary trauma was significantly associated with both total couple violence (.34, p = .004) and S/P to officer violence (.35, p = .003).

CONCLUSIONS

Although results from this relatively small study of young police officers and their S/Ps must be confirmed by larger studies in general populations, findings suggest that S/P perception of PTSD symptoms may play a key role in the spread of traumatic stress symptoms across intimate partner relationships and intimate partner violence in the context of PTSD.

An integrative review of the mental health of partners of veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder

The aim of this article is to present an integrative review of the mental health of veteran partners living with veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Living with a veteran with PTSD affects the psychological well-being and health outcomes of a veteran partner. Fourteen research articles that focused on the mental health of military partners, which directly influence the psychological well-being of veteran partners, were reviewed. Findings indicate that a range of mental health concerns exist among veteran partners living with veterans with PTSD. The mental well-being of veteran partners is affected by the emotional strain of living and caring for veterans with PTSD. For years, the partner's presence has been overlooked in the PTSD treatment. However, to promote the comprehensive health of veterans with PTSD, it is paramount to understand the mental health state of veteran partners. Understanding the mental health state of veteran partners will provide a broader perspective to the plight of veteran partners.