Components of secondary traumatic stress in female partners of National Guard and Reservist veterans displaying symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Abstract
This study offers an extensive view of how male National Guardsmen and Reservists' Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms affect their female partners. This study is one of the few that investigates the experience of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in female partners of National Guard and Reservist veterans. The study included female partners of United States Army National Guardsmen and Reservists who have served in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Based on the prior research, it was hypothesized that (1) couples in which the veteran displays PTSD symptoms will show higher rates of couple conflict, (2) female partners of veterans exhibiting PTSD symptoms will report lower relationship satisfaction, (3) female partners showing higher levels of separation-individuation will show greater resilience, (4) high relationship satisfaction will increase resilience, (5) higher levels of resilience will decrease the perception of caregiver burden, (6) female partners of veterans exhibiting PTSD symptoms will perceive more caregiver burden, (7) female partners showing more separation-individuation will show fewer STS symptoms, (8) higher incidence of previous trauma in female partner will increase STS symptoms, (9) higher levels of resilience will decrease the level of STS, (10) female partners engaging in couple conflict will display more STS symptoms, (11) higher levels of perceived caregiver burden will increase STS symptoms, (12) female partners of veterans exhibiting PTSD symptoms will display more STS symptoms, (13) and high relationship satisfaction will decrease the level of STS. In the present study, 30 participants were given a questionnaire to assess the levels of relationship satisfaction, level of resilience, couple conflict, STS symptoms, veteran PTSD symptoms, caregiver burden, level of separation-individuation, and prior trauma. A regression analysis was performed to test the effects of separation- individuation, prior trauma, couple conflict, veteran PTSD symptoms, resilience, caregiver burden, and relationship satisfaction on STS. It was found that veteran PTSD symptoms might have led to greater levels of couple conflict. It was also found that couple conflict increased the amount of STS symptoms seen in female partners. In addition, women who reported higher levels of caregiver burden also reported higher STS. Finally, higher levels of relationship satisfaction buffered the development of STS in female partners of National Guard and Reservist members. This study can provide helpful information for therapists and chaplains treating military families. When clinicians are aware of the specific dynamics unique to military families, they can more effectively treat not only the veteran but also their family members.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Nalbone, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Mental health|Behavioral psychology
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