https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Rashkovsky2022

Rashkovsky, K., Solano, I., Khalifian, C., Morland, L. A., & Knopp, K. (2022). Interpersonal trauma histories and relationship functioning among LGB veteran couples seeking PTSD treatment. Military Psychology, 34(4), 494-501. https://doi.org/10.1080/08 995605.2021.2016308

This study examined experiences of interpersonal trauma (e.g., sexual assault, military sexual trauma) and perceptions of relationship functioning by Veterans and their partners. 21 couples with at least 1 individual identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) were asked to complete questionnaires on sexual trauma as well as perceptions of relationship functioning (e.g., relationship satisfaction, sexual dysfunction). Despite the majority of Veterans and their partners having experienced sexual assault, many also reported high relationship functioning.

https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2021.2016308

Veterans
Couples
Trauma

Navy
Army
Marine Corps
Multiple branches

Veteran

Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran

Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Rashkovsky, Katerine, Solano, Ingrid, Khalifian, Chandra, Morland, Leslie A., Knopp, Kayla

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) Veterans report greater emotional distress, trauma exposure, and PTSD rates than both LGB civilians and non-LGB Veterans. Traumatic experiences impact intimate relationships, potentially placing LGB Veterans at higher risk of relationship dysfunction secondary to trauma and PTSD. However, limited research has examined links between relationship functioning and trauma histories among couples with one or more LGB-identifying partners. In this exploratory study, participants include 21 couples from a larger treatment study comprising a PTSD-diagnosed Veteran and their significant other in which at least one partner identified as LGB. Variables included trauma experiences, PTSD symptom severity, and relationship satisfaction. A descriptive analysis revealed high relationship satisfaction despite high interpersonal trauma rates among both PTSD-diagnosed Veterans and their partners. Further, we found different patterns of relationship functioning depending on whether a participant had experienced sexual assault. These initial analyses present novel data on trauma in treatment-seeking LGB veteran couples and provide an important basis for future research on couple-based mental health treatments for this population.

Taylor & Francis

Article

Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, KR
University of California, Department of Psychiatry, KR
Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, IS
Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, CK
University of California, Department of Psychiatry, CK
Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, LAM
University of California, Department of Psychiatry, LAM
National Center for PTSD - Pacific Islands Division, LAM
Research Service, Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, KK
University of California, Department of Psychiatry, KK