Awareness of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans: A Female Spouse/Intimate Partner Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify perspectives of female spouses/intimate partners regarding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in returning Iraq and Afghanistan combat Veterans. Through the use of a self-administered questionnaire based on Flanagan's critical incident technique, reports were obtained from a purposive sample of 34 spouses/intimate partners of Veterans recruited through a social group for military spouses and a university in southeastern North Carolina. Two-thirds of the participants reported not having received formal education about PTSD. The main perceived barriers to PTSD treatment seeking were denial of symptoms, fear, and stigma about disclosing PTSD symptoms. Spouses/intimate partners observed Veterans for changes in behavior and routines, disturbed sleep patterns, and nightmares. In the event of PTSD treatment resistance, spouses/intimate partners reported they would suggest the need for treatment, issue an ultimatum, take action, or offer patience and support without taking any action.

A Review of Military Health Research Using a Social–Ecological Framework

“…92 Fathers returning from combat deployment have identified parenting challenges, including reestablishing relationships with their children, adjusting to the difference between the structured military environment and a less structured home life, and controlling their tempers in stressful situations. 93 Other researchers have found PTSD status in the returning service member can be a risk for intimate partner violence 94,95 and reduced couple satisfaction. 92 Moreover, the perception of a deployed person's PTSD symptoms (regardless of actual symptoms) influences spousal mental health and couple satisfaction, 96 but spousal perceptions of combat intensity may moderate the association.…”

Responses to Mantram Repetition Program from Veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A qualitative analysis

“…As such, this method is considered reliable and valid for analyzing qualitative data and providing information about topics that are novel or not well known, such as mantram repetition [28]. The CIRT has been applied in a variety of healthcare settings to examine patients' met and unmet psychological needs [29], predict patient perceptions of nurse behaviors [30], and gain perspectives on female spouses/intimate partners of returning combat servicemembers with PTSD [31].…”

The NPs Role of Assessing and Intervening with Older Adult Drivers

“…Flanagan stressed that, in a critical incident study, the sample size is not determined by the number of participants but rather by the number of critical incidents observed or reported and whether the incidents represent adequate coverage of the activity being studied [15]. The primary objective of the critical incident technique is the development of a behavioral classification system or taxonomy to find solutions to practical problems or to determine the prevalence and distribution of critical behaviors [16]. Critical incident studies have been widely used by health service researchers to identify and categorize behavioral responses of healthcare providers in significant and decisive situations [17, 18].…”