An exploration of potential pressures to engage in parenting accommodation of PTSD symptoms for military couples

Allen, E. S., Renshaw, K. D., & Fredman, S. J. (2024). An exploration of potential pressures to engage in parenting accommodation of PTSD symptoms for military couples. Family Process, 63(1), 315-330. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12858

Partner accommodation refers to partners of individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) altering their behavior in response to the individual’s symptoms, and it often has a negative effect on relationships. This study examined how accommodation was related to various aspects of family functioning in 193 military couples. Women spouses of Soldiers reported on their parenting accommodation (e.g., taking over parenting responsibilities), general partner accommodation (e.g., avoidance of triggering topics), and child behavioral difficulties (e.g., hyperactivity). Both partners reported on Soldiers’ PTSD symptoms as well as their marital satisfaction, parenting alliance (e.g., sense of parenting teamwork), closeness with children, and harsh parenting. Overall, when spouses engaged in more parenting accommodation, both partners reported lower levels of parenting alliance and higher levels of harsh parenting.

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