Couple Adaptation to Traumatic Stress (CATS) Model
The couple adaptation to traumatic stress (CATS) model is used to analyze the impact of traumatic experiences on individuals and couple relationships. The CATS model assumes that trauma will induce primary traumatic stress symptoms in the traumatized partner, which can trigger secondary symptoms in the other partner, which can then intensify the traumatized partner's primary symptoms. Adaptation to this traumatic stress in the couple depends upon individual functioning, predisposing factors, and couple functioning.
Category: Theories