Military personnel who have experienced combat trauma are at risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A greater recognition of the complex array of vulnerability factors that contribute to PTSD severity has led researchers to examine other non-combat-related factors. This longitudinal study examined a number of pre-, peri-, and postdeployment factors hypothesized to contribute to PTSD symptomatology among returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans presenting with at least subthreshold PTSD symptoms and hazardous alcohol use in a primary care setting. Purported risk factors included childhood family environment, severity of combat exposure, postdeployment social support, alcohol dependence severity, and an avoidant coping style. At baseline, postdeployment social support and avoidant coping contributed to PTSD severity. Only avoidant coping was associated with changes in PTSD symptom at 1-year follow-up. Reducing avoidant coping may deter the maintenance of PTSD among veterans with PTSD symptoms and hazardous alcohol use.
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Longitudinal changes in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans with hazardous alcohol use: The role of avoidance coping
APA Citation:
Lee, J., Possemato, K., & Ouimette, P. C. (2017). Longitudinal changes in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder among Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn Veterans with hazardous alcohol use: The role of avoidance coping. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 205(10), 805-808. doi:10.1097/NMD.0000000000000713
Focus:
Mental health
Substance use
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
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Research & Summary
Lee, Joohyun; Possemato, Kyle; Ouimette, Paige C.
2017
Emotion expression, avoidance and psychological health during reintegration: A dyadic analysis of actor and partner associations within a sample of military couples
APA Citation:
Marini, C. M., Wadsworth, S. M., Christ, S. L., & Franks, M. M. (2015). Emotion expression, avoidance and psychological health during reintegration: A dyadic analysis of actor and partner associations within a sample of military couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 34(1), 69-90. doi:10.1177/0265407515621180
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Guard
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Marini, Christina M.; Wadsworth, Shelley M.; Christ, Sharon L.; Franks, Melissa M.
2017
We evaluated the extent to which military service members’ and their significant others’ coping strategies (i.e., individual use of emotion expression and avoidance) were independently associated with their own—and each other’s—psychological health during reintegration using an actor–partner interdependence model. We simultaneously evaluated actor associations (e.g., associations between service members’ own coping and psychological health) and partner associations (e.g., associations between service members’ coping and their significant others’ psychological health) with a sample of 175 National Guard couples who recently experienced deployment. We further evaluated (1) whether there were interactive associations among partners’ coping strategies and (2) whether service members’ level of combat exposure moderated any of these associations. Results indicated that, for both service members and significant others, psychological health was positively associated with one’s own emotion expression and negatively associated with one’s own avoidance. Moreover, there was a significant partner association between service members’ psychological health and their significant others’ emotion expression but only in the context of high combat exposure. Implications for intervention and prevention efforts are discussed.
3 Coping, family social support, and psychological symptoms among student veterans
Coping, family social support, and psychological symptoms among student veterans
APA Citation:
Romero, D. H., Riggs, S. A., & Ruggero, C. (2015). Coping, family social support, and psychological symptoms among student veterans. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62(2), 242–252. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000061
Focus:
Mental health
Other
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Navy
Marine Corps
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Romero, Daniel H.; Riggs, Shelley A.; Ruggero, Camilo
2015
With rising numbers of student veterans on today’s college campuses, multicultural competence in college counseling centers increasingly includes an understanding of military culture and its relation to the psychological health and functioning of student veterans. Research on interpersonal and intrapersonal factors associated with college student veterans’ mental health is scarce. The current study examines the contributions of coping style and family social support on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress in a student veteran sample. We also tested the moderating role of family social support in the relationship between coping style and psychological symptoms. Data from 136 student veterans were analyzed by using path analysis. Results revealed that avoidant coping and family social support significantly predicted depressive and anxiety symptoms. Avoidant coping also significantly predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms. In addition, findings indicated that family social support moderated the relationship between problem-focused coping and depression, as well as between avoidant coping and symptoms of anxiety and depression but not posttraumatic stress. Implications of results for college and university counselors are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Deployment-related coping strategies in military couples: Associations with relationship satisfaction
APA Citation:
Giff, S. T., Renshaw, K. D., Carter, S. P., & Paige, L. C. (2020). Deployment-related coping strategies in military couples: Associations with relationship satisfaction. Military Psychology, 32(6), 432-440. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2020.1803725
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Trauma
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Reserve
Guard
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Giff, Sarah T.; Renshaw, Keith D.; Carter, Sarah P.; Paige, Lauren C.
2020
Military deployments are known to be stressful for both military service members (SMs) and their romantic partners. Little is known about how coping strategies used during deployment may relate to one’s own and one’s partner’s relationship satisfaction following deployment. This project investigated the retrospective report of how 154 SMs and their romantic partners coped with deployment-related stress, using previously established coping constructs of problem-focused, emotion-focused, and avoidance coping. Examination of relative associations of coping strategies and mental health symptoms with SMs’ and partners’ relationship satisfaction showed that partners’ emotion-focused coping was positively related to both SMs’ and partners’ relationship satisfaction, whereas partners’ avoidance was negatively related to both their own and SMs’ relationship satisfaction. Results highlight the importance of partner coping within military couples and point to potential strategies for coping with deployment that are associated with enhanced relationship functioning after deployment.
5 Military wives emotionally coping during deployment: Balancing dependence and independence
Military wives emotionally coping during deployment: Balancing dependence and independence
APA Citation:
Cafferky, B., & Shi, L. (2015). Military wives emotionally coping during deployment: Balancing dependence and independence. American Journal of Family Therapy, 43(3), 282-295. doi:10.1080/01926187.2015.1034633
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Army
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Cafferky, Bryan; Shi, Lin
2015
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how military wives’ coping mechanisms are related to their emotional connection with their deployed husbands. Conceptualizing the marital relationship as an attachment system, we explored how military wives adopted various coping mechanisms during their husbands’ deployment and identified two types of efforts toward independence: self-sufficient independence through emotional avoidance, and autonomous interdependence through emotional connection. These are consistent with those coping behaviors informed by secure and avoidant attachment styles. Clinical implications are offered based on the discussion of the results.
With or without you: Preliminary evidence that attachment avoidance predicts nondeployed spouses’ reactions to relationship challenges during deployment
APA Citation:
Borelli, J. L., Sbarra, D. A., Snavely, J. E., McMakin, D. L., Coffey, J. K., Ruiz, S. K., Wang, B. A., & Chung, S. Y. (2014). With or without you: Preliminary evidence that attachment avoidance predicts nondeployed spouses’ reactions to relationship challenges during deployment. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 45(6), 478-487. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0037780
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Borelli, Jessica L.; Sbarra, David A.; Snavely, Jonathan E.; McMakin, Dana L.; Coffey, John K.; Ruiz, Sarah K.; Wang, Binghuang A.; Chung, Samuel Y.
2014
Although much is written about the impact of deployment on nondeployed spouses (NDSs) and couple relationships, few empirical studies address this directly. Using attachment theory as a guiding framework, this study followed 32 NDSs across a military deployment. We examined the prospective association between NDSs' attachment avoidance and their response to relational challenges (assessed using both correlational and experimental designs) during a deployment. Two weeks before deployment, NDSs provided self-reports of their attachment avoidance and relationship satisfaction. During the deployment, they provided stream-of-consciousness speech samples regarding (a) the deployment and (b) their anticipated reunion with their spouse: after each speech sample they reported on their subjective anxiety. Based on random assignment, NDSs then completed either an experimenter-led "personal" or "relational" memory savoring task, reporting on their emotional state before and after the task. Two weeks after the deployment, NDSs reported on their relationship satisfaction. Higher avoidance was associated with more frequent anxiety word use and higher self-reported anxiety when discussing the anticipated reunion. Avoidance moderated the association between savoring condition and postsavoring negative emotion, such that in the relational condition only, greater avoidance was related to more negative emotion. Postsavoring emotional state moderated the longitudinal association between predeployment attachment avoidance and postdeployment relationship satisfaction. Results are discussed in terms of their contribution to the literature on coping during attachment stressors as well as their implications for treatment with NDSs undergoing deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
7 Coping behaviors used by Army wives during deployment separation and their perceived effectiveness
Coping behaviors used by Army wives during deployment separation and their perceived effectiveness
APA Citation:
Blank, C., Adams, L. A., Kittelson, B., Connors, R. A., & Padden, D. L. (2012). Coping behaviors used by Army wives during deployment separation and their perceived effectiveness. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 24(11), 660-668. doi:10.1111/j.1745-7599.2012.00766.x
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Blank, Cherie; Adams, Lori A.; Kittelson, Brian; Connors, Rebecca A.; Padden, Diane L.
2012
Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to describe the coping behaviors used by Army wives during deployment separation, the perceived effectiveness of the coping behaviors used, and the correlation between the two variables. Data sources: A secondary analysis was conducted to examine coping use and perceived effectiveness, measured by the Jalowiec Coping Scale (JCS), in a sample of 102 Army wives surveyed during deployment separation. Conclusions: The most used coping subscales from the JCS were the optimistic and supportant and the most effective were the supportant and confrontive. The strongest correlations between coping use and effectiveness were found in the supportant subscale, which measures use of support systems (r= 0.77, p < .00), and the confrontive subscale, which includes behaviors of constructive problem solving (r= 0.62, p < .00). The use and effectiveness of individual behaviors are also identified. Implications for practice: Identifying effective and ineffective coping behaviors of spouses of deployed troops can potentially reduce stress and improve well-being. Primary care providers should encourage military spouses to engage in optimistic thinking, seek out spiritual support, talk to others in a similar situation, and participate in physical activity. Disclosure The views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, the Department of the Defense, or the United States government.
8 Affect, coping, and satisfaction with life among military spouses
Affect, coping, and satisfaction with life among military spouses
APA Citation:
Wang, M.-C., Harcrow, A.-M., Spears, A., & Nyutu, P. (2018). Affect, coping, and satisfaction with life among military spouses. Military Behavioral Health, 6(4), 346-354. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2018.1490225
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Navy
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Wang, Mei-Chuan; Harcrow, Anne-Marie; Spears, Angela; Nyutu, Pius
2018
This study utilized the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions (Fredrickson, 2004 ) to examine the relationship between coping strategies and psychological well-being in military spouses. The goal was to determine if positive emotions and depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between coping and life satisfaction. Participants were 221 female military spouses. The results indicated that both task-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping skills exerted indirect effects on an overall sense of life satisfaction through their positive association with positive affect and negative association with depressive symptoms.
Adjustment among youth in military families: The protective roles of effortful control and maternal social support
APA Citation:
Morris, A. S., & Age, T. R. (2009). Adjustment among youth in military families: The protective roles of effortful control and maternal social support. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 30(6), 695-707. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2009.01.002
Focus:
Children
Deployment
Mental health
Parents
Youth
Branch of Service:
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Childhood (birth - 12 yrs)
School age (6 - 12 yrs)
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Morris, Amanda S.; Age, Tolonda R.
2009
This study examined coping, effortful control, and mental health among 65 youth (ages 9–15) residing in families where at least one parent was serving in the United States military. Parents provided basic demographic and deployment information. Youth reported on their coping, effortful control, and adjustment using standardized self-report measures. Results indicate that youth residing in military families report elevated levels of conduct problems according to established clinical norms. However, study findings also indicate that effortful control and maternal support act as important protective factors against the development of conduct problems and emotional symptoms, whereas avoidant coping is associated with greater emotional symptoms. No significant differences emerged among youth of recently deployed versus non-deployed parents. Findings are discussed in light of current stressors on military youth and families, and in terms of their implications for successful intervention and prevention programming.
10 The war at home: Consequences of loving a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
The war at home: Consequences of loving a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
APA Citation:
Demers, A. (2009). The war at home: Consequences of loving a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The Internet Journal of Mental Health, 6(1), 1-25. doi:10.5580/5ac
Focus:
Deployment
Mental health
Other
Parents
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Demers, Anne
2009
Objective. The experiences of parents, partners, and siblings of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans were explored, to understand the consequences of repeated deployments on participants’ mental health. Method. Purposive sampling was used. Respondents completed preliminary electronic surveys and participated in one of three focus groups. Results. High levels of relationship and psychological distress exist. Reactions and coping with deployment were split along gender lines, with females reporting anxiety and males reporting avoidance or anger. Veterans returned with significant emotional demands. The need for social and emotional support was identified. Conclusion. Similar to the experiences of spouses of veterans, extended family members are negatively impacted during deployment and reintegration. They are struggling to cope and lack the necessary skills to do so. Attempts at help seeking are unsuccessful. Recommendations include training for clinicians, school counselors and physicians to address the needs of this population, and also development of support groups for families of veterans and the veterans themselves.
Attachment, couple communication, and family functioning in relation to psychological distress among service members and veterans
APA Citation:
Riggs, S. A., Raiche, E., Creech, S. K., McGuffin, J., & Romero, D. H. (2020). Attachment, couple communication, and family functioning in relation to psychological distress among service members and veterans. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 9(4), 239-255. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000154
Focus:
Parents
Couples
Trauma
Mental health
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Riggs, Shelley A.; Raiche, Emily; Creech, Suzannah K.; McGuffin, James; Romero, Daniel H.
2020
Military life is characterized by high occupational stress that may include dangerous training exercises, lengthy deployments, combat exposure, as well as frequent relocations and separations from family that can contribute to emotional distress. Individual attachment style is associated with coping responses and may distinguish service members and veterans (SMVs) who exhibit stress-related symptomatology versus those who do not. Furthermore, family systems theory suggests that couple and family relationships may mitigate or exacerbate the impact of these stressors on SMVs’ psychological outcomes. Married or partnered SMVs (N = 156) completed an online survey that included measures of adult attachment strategies, couple communication, family functioning, and psychological symptoms. Multivariate multiple regression results documented strong associations between attachment strategies and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, as well as some moderation effects by couple communication and family functioning. Demand–withdraw communication moderated the associations between attachment avoidance and symptoms, and family functioning moderated the association between attachment anxiety and depression, whereas positive couple communication was nonsignificant across models. Overall, the results suggest that the family attachment network plays an important role in the mental health of SMVs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
12 Predicting alcohol and drug abuse in Persian Gulf War veterans: What role do PTSD symptoms play?
Predicting alcohol and drug abuse in Persian Gulf War veterans: What role do PTSD symptoms play?
APA Citation:
Shipherd, J.C., Stafford, J., & Tanner, L.R. (2005). Predicting alcohol and drug abuse in Persian Gulf War veterans: What role do PTSD symptoms play? Addictive Behaviors, 30(3), 595-599. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.07.004
Focus:
Deployment
Mental health
Substance use
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Air Force
Army
Navy
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Shipherd, Jillian C.; Stafford, Jane; Tanner, Lynlee R.
2005
This study is a prospective longitudinal examination of symptoms of drug and alcohol use (SUD) and PTSD symptoms in 1006 veterans in the 6 years (T3) following return from the Persian Gulf War (PGW). Both alcohol and drug use at T3 were significantly correlated with demographic variables and all three types of PTSD symptoms (reexperiencing, avoidance, and arousal) as measured at T2. Hierarchical regressions were conducted to examine the self-medication hypothesis, which was supported for drug use but not for alcohol use at T3.
Perceived burden in spouses of National Guard/Reserve service members deployed during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom
APA Citation:
Caska, C. M., & Renshaw, K. D. (2011). Perceived burden in spouses of National Guard/Reserve service members deployed during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 25(3), 346-351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2010.10.008
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Mental health
Trauma
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Army
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Guard
Reserve
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Caska, Catherine M.; Renshaw, Keith D.
2011
Spouses of combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience elevated psychological distress. Recent research indicates that spouses’ perceptions of burden may be one mechanism of such distress, but there are several gaps in this literature. No research has examined perceived burden in relation to symptoms other than PTSD or subclinical levels of psychological distress, and very little research has focused on characteristics of spouses that may be related to their perceptions of burden. The current study examined these variables in 130 spouses of reserve component troops deployed during Operations Enduring/Iraqi Freedom. Spouses’ burden was positively associated with symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in service members, regardless of clinical severity. Moreover, burden fully mediated the relation between each type of symptom and spouses’ own psychological distress. Furthermore, levels of burden were significantly related to spouses’ neuroticism, avoidant coping, and self-efficacy, but only avoidant coping remained a significant predictor of burden when accounting for service members’ distress. These results suggest that a broad range of service members’ symptoms are related to spouses’ burden and distress, and although individual characteristics of spouses may be related to their perceptions of burden, service members’ symptoms play a primary role.
The moderating effect of parenthood in the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and lateral preference in Israeli reserve combat troops
APA Citation:
Ritov, G., & Barnetz, Z. (2013). The moderating effect of parenthood in the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and lateral preference in Israeli reserve combat troops. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 201(8), 703–705. https://doi.org/10.1097/NMD.0b013e31829db5d4
Focus:
Children
Deployment
Mental health
Parents
Branch of Service:
International Military
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Ritov, Gilad; Barnetz, Zion
2013
The present study examined the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and lateral preference, as reflected by handedness, in Israeli reserve combat troops. Data were gathered from 147 right-handed reserve combat personnel who filled out the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, a questionnaire examining the severity of PTSD symptoms according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, criteria and a questionnaire on the details of military service and familial status. The participants without children exhibited significantly more PTSD symptoms compared with the participants with children but did not differ in lateral preference levels. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed an altered pattern in the relationship between PTSD symptoms severity and lateral preference between the two groups. This alternation could suggest that being a parent might compel a reservist to inhibit the use of avoidance mechanisms for coping with intrusive memories, resulting in reduction of visible symptoms of PTSD while respectively contributing to their synchronization to lateral preference.
15 Roles of religion and spirituality among veterans who manage PTSD and their partners
Roles of religion and spirituality among veterans who manage PTSD and their partners
APA Citation:
Sherman, M. D., Usset, T., Voecks, C., & Harris, J. I. (2018). Roles of religion and spirituality among veterans who manage PTSD and their partners. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 10(4), 368–374. https://doi.org/10.1037/rel0000159
Focus:
Mental health
Trauma
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
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Research & Summary
Sherman, Michelle D.; Usset, Timothy; Voecks, Cory; Harris, J. Irene
2018
Traumatic events can have ripple effects on the survivor’s intimate relationships and on his or her religious/spirituality (R/S) beliefs and practices. Although both of these outcomes have been examined independently, research has yet to consider the intersection of trauma, its impacts on partners and intimate relationships, and R/S. This exploratory qualitative study involved individual interviews with 20 participants, including 11 male married veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; or subthreshold PTSD) and 9 female married partners of male veterans with PTSD (or subthreshold PTSD). Interviews explored perceptions of the roles of R/S in how participants coped with the veteran’s PTSD, both individually and as a couple. Participants described a wide array of responses in their R/S beliefs and activities, ranging from withdrawal and avoidance to deeper engagement and growth. Although many participants described drawing upon their R/S beliefs and practices to support their spouses, a few shared how female partners used R/S against their veterans in a hurtful manner. Couples described their spiritual bond with one another as facilitating communication and strengthening their relational bond. Implications for psychotherapy and future research are discussed.
Veterans with poor PTSD treatment adherence: Exploring their loved ones’ experience of PTSD and understanding of PTSD treatment
APA Citation:
Thompson-Hollands, J., Burmeister, L. B., Rosen, C. S., O'Dougherty, M., Erickson, E. P. G., & Meis, L. A. (2021). Veterans with poor PTSD treatment adherence: Exploring their loved ones’ experience of PTSD and understanding of PTSD treatment. Psychological Services, 18(2), 216–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/ser0000389
Focus:
Couples
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
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Research & Summary
Thompson-Hollands, Johanna; Burmeister, Lori B.; Rosen, Craig S.; O'Dougherty, Maureen; Erickson, Emily P. G.; Meis, Laura A.
2021
Trauma-focused psychotherapies such as cognitive processing therapy (CPT) and prolonged exposure (PE) are some of the most effective treatments available for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These treatments have been widely disseminated and promoted throughout the VA Health care System. However, adherence to and completion of these protocols among veterans is often poor, resulting in diminished impact. “Support persons” (SPs) such as relatives and close friends may provide a source of emotional or practical support in treatment, but little is known about how SPs are involved in or exposed to treatment principles and activities. The primary goal of the current research was to examine the experience of SPs of veterans who had poor adherence to treatment. We were interested in SPs’ knowledge about the treatment, their level of involvement in treatment activities or sessions, and their potential interest in more participation or education. Qualitative analyses were used to examine data collected from interviews with 19 SPs of veterans who had an unsuccessful course of CPT or PE. Results indicated generally very low levels of knowledge and treatment participation. However, among most SPs there was substantial interest in the possibility of more treatment involvement, particularly in order to receive guidance from the clinician about how to respond to the veteran’s symptoms. We suggest that it is possible and desirable to incorporate loved ones more formally into such protocols. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
17 Children of the U.S. National Guard: Making meaning and responding to parental deployment
Children of the U.S. National Guard: Making meaning and responding to parental deployment
APA Citation:
Thompson, D. E., Baptist, J., Miller, B., & Henry, U. (2017). Children of the US National Guard: Making meaning and responding to parental deployment. Youth & Society, 49(8), 1040–1056. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X15570883
Focus:
Children
Deployment
Mental health
Parents
Youth
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Guard
Population:
Adolescence (13 - 17 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Thompson, David E.; Baptist, Joyce; Miller, Bryant; Henry, Una
2017
This qualitative study explored how 24 youths’ behaviors during deployment were influenced by their perceptions of their non-deployed parents. Interviews were conducted with youths of previously deployed National Guard parents. Analysis of interviews suggests that the youths’ interactions with their non-deployed parents strongly influence their behaviors during deployment. Examined through the lenses of family systems and symbolic interaction, youths appear to base their behaviors upon perceptions of their non-deployed parents’ abilities to cope and manage the changes brought about during deployment. The majority of youths report reacting in ways intended to help their parents and families—whether by stepping up and assisting their non-deployed parents, or withdrawing physically or emotionally to reduce the emotional strain on parents. Implications of findings are discussed.
A closer examination of relational outcomes from a pilot study of abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for PTSD with military dyads
APA Citation:
Fredman, S. J., Le, Y., MacDonald, A., Monson, C. M., Rhoades, G. K., Dondanville, K. A., Blount, T. H., Hall-Clark, B. N., Fina, B. A., Mintz, J. Litz, B. T., Young-McCaughan, Jenkins, A. I. C., Yarvis, J. S., Keane, T. M., Peterson, A. L. (2021). A closer examination of relational outcomes from a pilot study of Abbreviated, Intensive, Multi-Couple Group Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD with military dyads. Family Process, 60(3), 712-726. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12654
Focus:
Couples
Mental health
Programming
Trauma
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Fredman, Steffany J.; Le, Yunying; Macdonald, Alexandra; Monson, Candice M.; Rhoades, Galena K.; Dondanville, Katherine A.; Blount, Tabatha H.; Hall‐Clark, Brittany N.; Fina, Brooke A.; Mintz, Jim; Litz, Brett T.; Young‐McCaughan, Stacey; Jenkins, August I. C.; Yarvis, Jeffrey S.; Keane, Terence M.; Peterson, Alan L.
2021
Cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (CBCT for PTSD) is associated with improvements in patients’ PTSD symptoms, partners’ psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction. However, little is known about whether CBCT for PTSD is associated with changes in other relationship domains that have theoretical and clinical relevance to the relational context of PTSD. The current study is a secondary analysis of relational outcomes from an uncontrolled, within-group trial designed to examine whether an abbreviated, intensive, multi-couple group version of CBCT for PTSD (AIM-CBCT for PTSD) delivered in a retreat during a single weekend was associated with improvements in PTSD symptoms and relationship satisfaction. In this investigation, we examined whether AIM-CBCT for PTSD is also associated with improvements in ineffective arguing, supportive dyadic coping by partner, joint dyadic coping, and partners’ accommodation of patients’ PTSD symptoms. Participants were 24 couples who included a post-9/11 U.S. service member or veteran with PTSD. At 1- and 3-month follow-up, patients reported significant reductions in couples’ ineffective arguing (ds = −.71 and −.78, respectively) and increases in supportive dyadic coping by partners relative to baseline (ds = .50 and .44, respectively). By 3-month follow-up, patients also reported significant increases in couples’ joint dyadic coping (d = .57), and partners reported significant reductions in their accommodation of patients’ PTSD symptoms (d = −.44). Findings suggest that AIM-CBCT for PTSD is associated with improvements in multiple relationship domains beyond relationship satisfaction but that these may be differentially salient for patients and partners.
19 PTSD symptom presentation across the deployment cycle
PTSD symptom presentation across the deployment cycle
APA Citation:
Steenkamp, M. M., Boasso, A. M., Nash, W. P., Larson, J. L., Lubin, R. E., & Litz, B. T. (2015). PTSD symptom presentation across the deployment cycle. Journal of Affective Disorders, 176(1), 87-94. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.01.043
Focus:
Deployment
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Marine Corps
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
Steenkamp, Maria M.; Boasso, Alyssa M.; Nash, William P.; Larson, Jonathan L.; Lubin, Rebecca E.; Litz, Brett T.
2015
Background Symptom-level variation in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has not yet been examined in the early post-deployment phase, but may be meaningful etiologically, prognostically, and clinically. Methods Using latent class analysis (LCA), we examined PTSD symptom heterogeneity in a cohort of participants from the Marine Resiliency Study (MRS), a longitudinal study of combat Marines deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (N=892). Typologies of PTSD symptom presentation were examined at one month pre-deployment and again one, five, and eight months post-deployment. Results Heterogeneity in PTSD symptom presentation was evident at each assessment point, and the degree of symptom heterogeneity (i.e., the number of classes identified) differed by time point. Symptom patterns stabilized over time from notable symptom fluctuations during the early post-deployment period to high, medium, and low symptom severity by eight months post-deployment. Hypervigilance and exaggerated startle were frequently endorsed by participants in the initial month post-deployment. Flashbacks, amnesia, and foreshortened future were infrequently endorsed. Greater combat exposure, lifespan trauma, and avoidant coping generally predicted worse outcomes. Limitations Data were self-report and may have limited generalizability due to our lack of women and inclusion of only combat Marines. Attrition and re-ranging of data resulted in significant missing data and affected the representativeness of the sample. Conclusions Symptom-level variability is highest in the month following deployment and then stabilizes over time. Should post-deployment assessments occur too soon, they may capture common and transient early post-deployment reactions, particularly anxious arousal.
20 Financial boundary ambiguity among military spouses
Financial boundary ambiguity among military spouses
APA Citation:
McCoy, M., O’Neal, C. W., Gale, J., Goetz, J., & Mancini, J. (2021). Financial boundary ambiguity among military spouses. Family Relations, 70(4), 1265-1279. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12520
Focus:
Couples
Deployment
Branch of Service:
Army
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research & Summary
McCoy, Megan; O'Neal, Catherine Walker; Gale, Jerry; Goetz, Joseph; Mancini, Jay A.
2021
Objective The military lifestyle of extended training programs and deployments creates a need to clearly define each partner's roles and responsibilities after each departure and reunion. Background Previous researchers have discovered that the less ambiguity that occurs when an individual enters or departs the family system, the less likely the family is to experience strain or crisis. One challenging area of boundary definition is finances, as couples tend to avoid talking about money which may contribute to financial boundary ambiguity. Methods This study applies the contextual model of family stress to examine financial boundary ambiguity and its association with marital quality in the post-deployment stage. This article presents a theory-driven exploration of financial boundary ambiguity using the actor–partner interdependence model and structural equation modeling. Results Study findings indicate that role flexibility, as well as clear and open communication, are related to less financial boundary ambiguity. This, in turn, is related to higher marital quality, although there are differences in the actor and partner effects between financial boundary ambiguity and marital relations. Conclusion To more fully understand coping and resilience among military couples, the authors applied the contextual model of family stress focused on financial elements to clarify the significance of how the couples navigated their roles and interactions. Implications Programs focused on financial and relational health should focus on fostering communication around financial roles during periods of transition, such as the deployment cycle. In particular, programs should be oriented around strategies for reducing the stress that surrounds financial uncertainties and strain, in addition to teaching effective financial management.
1 THEORY SERIES: ABC-X MODEL OF FAMILY STRESS
Posted by Tidwell, Allison
2 COPING STRATEGIES FOR MILITARY COUPLES: HOW TO FACE CONFLICT
Posted by Annino, Lily; Stearns, Hannah
3 CHILDREN’S SELF-COMPASSION: COPING WITH PARENTAL MENTAL ILLNESS
Posted by Tidwell, Allison
4 CARING FOR A SERVICE MEMBER: THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY AND SELF-CARE
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5 PTSD AND COUPLE STRESS: HOW TO OVERCOME PTSD TOGETHER
Posted by Burke, Benjamin
