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This exploratory study examines the associated effects of combat exposure on Soldiers assigned to a Midwestern Army National Guard unit. It also explores the secondary and mediating effects of combat exposure on Soldier's spouses and children. The correlations of combat exposure with trauma symptoms, substance abuse, domestic violence and secondary trauma symptoms among family members are identified. Survey results suggest that immediate family members of combat-exposed Soldiers with high levels of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are at risk for developing secondary traumatic stress. Secondary trauma symptoms in these spouses are a risk-increasing mediating variable between trauma symptoms in combat-exposed Soldiers and secondary trauma symptoms in their children. Results from this investigation emphasize the need for further inquiry into this topic. They further highlight the need for preventive and treatment efforts targeted toward all family members and relationships in order to lessen the effects of combat exposure.

Providing trauma psychoeducation remains a highly popular intervention despite the fact that little remains known about how effective such information provision is for improving participant outcomes. In this article the author outlines recommendations that can be identified from available research on how to provide psychoeducation for trauma recovery. The author also describes suggested content areas and material to include in this psychoeducation, highlighting the importance of conducting trauma psychoeducation in a culturally-sensitive, human-centered, and relationship-focused manner which emphasizes the value of building resiliency in response to trauma.

Mental health professionals working with first responders (law enforcement officers [LEOs], firefighters [FFs], and emergency medical technicians [EMTs]) should target affective depression over somatic depression symptoms early in treatment if they want to buffer against suicidality.

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