“A part of our family”? Effects of psychiatric service dogs on quality of life and relationship functioning in military-connected couples

  • McCall, C. E., Rodriguez, K. E., MacDermid Wadsworth, S. M., Meis, L. A., & O’Haire, M. E. (2020). “A part of our family?” Effects of psychiatric service dogs on quality of life and relationship functioning in military-connected couples. Military Behavioral Health, 8(4), 410-423. https://doi.org/10.1080/21635781.2020.1825243
  • Guided by family systems theory, this study examined how the use of service dogs for Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with their partners’ individual functioning (e.g., mental well-being, quality of life, social and work functioning) and relationship functioning (e.g., couple satisfaction). Responses to self-report measures and open-ended questions were compared among 37 couples with a PTSD service dog and 23 couples on a waitlist to receive a service dog. Although scores on self-report scales did not support a clear link between service dogs and greater individual or relationship functioning by partners, responses to open-ended questions indicated a mix of benefits and challenges of having a service dog.

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Research summaries convey terminology used by the scientists who authored the original research article; some terminology may not align with the federal government's mandated language for certain constructs.

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