Effectiveness of an Educational Program on Health Promoting Lifestyle of Spouses of Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Background: Taking care of veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is associated with negative impacts on the quality of life and lifestyle of the care givers, especially the spouses. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the effect of a health promotion lifestyle training program on the spouses of veterans with PTSD in Gorgan city, Iran. Patients and Methods: A total of 63 spouses of Iranian veterans with PTSD covered by the Foundation of Martyrs and VeteransAffairs in Gorgan were enrolled into this quasi-experimental study by the target-based sampling method. Subjects were assigned to 2 groups of experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 33). Eight 45-to 60-minute sessions of educational training were held for the experimental group within 8 weeks. Demographic data checklist and the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) questionnaire were employed to collect data. Results: The mean total scores of health promotion lifestyle and subscales of physical activity, stress management, health care responsibility, and spiritual development significantly increased in the experimental group after the intervention (P < 0.05). The