Gender differences in the associations of PTSD symptom clusters with relationship distress in U.S. Vietnam veterans and their partners
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Renshaw, K. D., Campbell, S. B., Meis, L., & Erbes, C. (2014). Gender differences in the associations of PTSD symptom clusters with relationship distress in US Vietnam veterans and their partners. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 27(3), 283–290. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21916
Abstract Created by REACH:
Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms may cause greater relationship distress. Although women represent a growing proportion in the military, research regarding how posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects female Veterans and their male partners is scarce. This study examined gender differences in relationship distress between male and female Veterans of the Vietnam War. Results suggest that PTSD symptoms are associated with relationship distress for both male and female Veterans.
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Subject Affiliation:
Spouse of service member or veteran
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Methodology:
Empirical Study
Interview
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Renshaw, Keith D., Campbell, Sarah B., Meis, Laura, Erbes, Christopher
Abstract:
Research has consistently linked symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with relationship distress in combat veterans and their partners. Studies of specific clusters of PTSD symptoms indicate that symptoms of emotional numbing/withdrawal (now referred to as negative alterations in cognition and mood) are more strongly linked with relationship distress than other symptom clusters. These findings, however, are based predominantly on samples of male veterans. Given the increasing numbers of female veterans, research on potential gender differences in these associations is needed. The present study examined gender differences in the multivariate associations of PTSD symptom clusters with relationship distress in 465 opposite-sex couples (375 with male veterans and 90 with female veterans) from the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study. Comparisons of nested path models revealed that emotional numbing/withdrawal symptoms were associated with relationship distress in both types of couples. The strength of this association, however, was stronger for female veterans (b = .46) and female partners (b = .28), compared to male veterans (b = .38) and male partners (b = .26). Results suggest that couples-based interventions (e.g., psychoeducation regarding emotional numbing symptoms as part of PTSD) are particularly important for both female partners of male veterans and female veterans themselves.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Wiley Blackwell
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Author Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, George Mason University, KDR
Department of Psychology, George Mason University, SBC
Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, LM
Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research, Minneapolis VA Health Care System, CE
Keywords:
distress, military veterans, post traumatic stress disorder, ptsd, human sex differences, symptoms, medical subject headings (mesh), adult, emotions, female, humans, interpersonal relations, male, middle aged, models, psychological, sex factors, spouses, stress disorders, united states, veterans, vietnam conflict
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary