Intimate partners' perception of OIF veterans' combat exposure and satisfaction: Does knowledge of combat act as a buffer longitudinally?
Abstract
Research indicates that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) negatively affects the romantic relationships of service members and their partners; however, few studies have identified or examined moderators of the relationship between PTSD and relationship satisfaction. The current study examined the association between partner's relationship satisfaction and soldier's self-reported PTSD, and whether this link was moderated by intimate partner's perception of the soldier's combat exposure. It was expected that partner's perceptions of soldier's combat exposure would moderate the relationship between soldier's PTSD and partner's satisfaction such that when partners perceived low levels of combat exposure, soldier's PTSD would be negatively associated with partner's relationship satisfaction. Data were draw from a longitudinal study of National Guard soldiers and their intimate partners (N = 52 couples). Participants provided data on self-reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, combat exposure (perceived and experienced), service use, and relationship satisfaction at two time points (4 months and 1 year) following the soldier's return from deployment. Partner's perception of soldier's combat exposure did not moderate the relationship between soldier's PTSD and partner's relationship satisfaction at either time point. Soldier's use of available services also did not moderate the relationship between soldier's PTSD and partner's relationship satisfaction at either measurement occasion. These findings as well as the results of exploratory analyses are presented and areas of future research are suggested.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
South, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Social psychology|Clinical psychology
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