Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Current Relationship Functioning Among World War II Ex-Prisoners of War.

Abstract

This study examined the association of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with the quality of intimate relationships among present-day male World War II ex-prisoners of war (POWs). Ex-POWs had considerable marital stability; those with PTSD were no less likely to be in an intimate relationship. Ex-POWs in an intimate relationship who had PTSD (N=125 ) were compared with ex-POWs in a relationship who did not have PTSD (N=206). Marital functioning was within a range expected for persons without traumatic exposure. Yet, over 30% of those with PTSD reported relationship problems compared with only 11% of those without PTSD. Ex-POWs with PTSD reported poorer adjustment and communication with their partners and more difficulties with intimacy. Emotional numbing was significantly associated with relationship difficulties independent of other symptom complexes and severity of PTSD. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Combat disclosure in intimate relationships: Mediating the impact of partner support on posttraumatic stress.

“…Moreover, specific symptom clusters or components of PTSD such as dissociation (Nelson Goff et al, 2007) and numbing or avoidance symptoms (Cook, Riggs, Thompson, Coyne, & Sheikh, 2004;Erbes, 2011;Renshaw & Campbell, 2011;Riggs et al, 1998) appear to be associated with greater erosion of relationship functioning. Specific problematic areas of relationship functioning for service members struggling with PTSD and their partners have also been identified.…”

A qualitative study of single-trauma and dual-trauma military couples.

“…Combat or other military-related traumatic experiences may be particularly challenging for the couple (Dirkzwager, Bramsen, Adèr, & van der Ploeg, 2005;Ruger, Wilson, & Waddoups, 2002), contributing to secondary traumatic stress symptoms in partners (Figley, 1983(Figley, , 1995Nelson Goff & Smith, 2005) and impaired couple relationship functioning (Cook, Riggs, Thompson, Coyne, & Sheikh, 2004;Dirkzwager et al, 2005;Mikulincer, Florian, & Solomon, 1995;Riggs, Byrne, Weathers, & Litz, 1998;Solomon, Waysman, Belkin, Levy, Mikulincer, & Enoch, 1992;Whiffen & Oliver, 2004). Recent research on the impact of military deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003 has found additional support for the negative impact of soldiers' symptoms on spouses' individual symptoms and marital satisfaction (Allen, Rhoades, Stanley, & Markman, 2010;Nelson Goff, Crow, Reisbig, & Hamilton, 2007Renshaw, Rodrigues, & Jones, 2008.…”

Child maltreatment history among newlywed couples: A longitudinal study of marital outcomes and mediating pathways.

“…Early maltreatment is a traumatic experience that has been consistently linked with increased symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder among adult survivors (Widom, 1999), which in turn have been associated with poor couple functioning, including increased partner aggression in participants from the community (Taft, Schumm, Marshall, Panuzio, & Holtzworth-Munroe, 2008) and marital dissatisfaction among veterans and former prisoners of war (Cook, Riggs, Thompson, Coyne, & Sheikh, 2004;Dekel & Solomon, 2006). As suggested by these studies, survivors of childhood trauma who are coping with increased trauma symptoms may be so emotionally taxed that they have few remaining resources to devote to working through the stressors that couples encounter in the initial phases of marriage.…”