Clinical considerations when working with women veterans in couple therapy
APA Citation:
Vizcardo Solis, G. G. (2023). Clinical considerations when working with women veterans in couple therapy [Psy.D., Alliant International University]. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2833669552/abstract/AAC9E8EA1A394939PQ/1
Focus:
Veterans
Couples
Mental health
Trauma
Branch of Service:
International Military
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Review of Literature
Authors:
Vizcardo Solis, Greysi G.
Abstract:
Women veteran currently make up 15% of the veteran population which is a number that continuously increases each year. As more women enter the force, they must adapt to fit in the male-dominated culture and re-adapt to reintegrate to the civilian world. The VA has found that more than half of veteran seek their services as they reintegrate and that women veteran have different mental health issues and needs compared to male veteran. For example, women veterans are more likely to experience military sexual trauma (MST) and intimate partner violence (IPV). The VA has been proactive about how to support women veteran diagnosed with PTSD, substance use disorder, and relationship impairment. The department of Disabled Veteran proposes that more research needs to be done on women veteran and how a supportive family could serve as a protective factor. With this recommendation in mind, a literature review was conducted focusing on a major dyad in a family, the couple. Additionally, corroborated information with five field consultants with expertise in working with women veteran in couple therapy was gathered to fill in the gaps in the literature. This literature review focuses on main issues women face during their service including adapting to a male-dominated culture of the military. We discuss the challenges women veteran face as they reintegrate to civilian life focusing on impairment of functioning due to MST, PTSD, SUD, and IPV. We discuss the challenges women veteran face in their romantic relationships and effective couple therapy models including IBCT and discuss gender roles. The goal of this dissertation is to summarize clinical considerations for mental health providers who work with women veteran in couple therapy as a focus in the reintegration process to civilian life.
Publisher/Sponsoring Organization:
Alliant International University
Publication Type:
Dissertations & Theses
Keywords:
couple therapy, female veteran, gender roles, MST, PTSD, supportive family
Location:
United States -- California