Weathering the storm? The impact of trauma on romantic relationships

Marshall, Emma; Kuijer, Roel

doi:10.1016/j.copsyc.2016.04.013

Cited by 42 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…If both partners suffer from PTSD, then the mutual understanding and empathy might be increased, but “a mutual impact of the partners’ individual symptoms on one another” may persist (p. 60) ( Nelson et al, 2002 ). The recently published Dyadic Responses to Trauma Model illustrates different ways in which a traumatic event can impact on the couple relationship ( Marshall and Kuijer, 2017 ). It provides a possible framework to explain why some partners can be resilient or at risk for individual psychological reactions to trauma but also to relationship outcomes, and also depicts how these processes unfold dyadically ( Marshall and Kuijer, 2017 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The recently published Dyadic Responses to Trauma Model illustrates different ways in which a traumatic event can impact on the couple relationship ( Marshall and Kuijer, 2017 ). It provides a possible framework to explain why some partners can be resilient or at risk for individual psychological reactions to trauma but also to relationship outcomes, and also depicts how these processes unfold dyadically ( Marshall and Kuijer, 2017 ). It underlines previous findings that PTSD symptoms of each member of a couple were independently related to distress in their relationship ( Riggs, 2014 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Impact of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress and Depression Symptoms on Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction: A Population-Based Prospective Study

et al. 2018

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The couple relationship is of particular importance in the transition to parenthood and in the early childhood years because it is related to the well-being and mental health of partners, children, and the family. One factor that may substantially influence relationship quality and couple satisfaction after childbirth is the woman’s experience of birth. Approximately 2–4% of women develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after childbirth, with potentially wide-ranging negative consequences for the women themselves and their families. To date, some qualitative studies have explored the influence of postpartum PTSD on couple relationship satisfaction. However, quantitative studies are sparse, with mixed results and methodological limitations. We hypothesized that postpartum PTSD will be prospectively associated with low couple relationship satisfaction, even when taking into account a variety of potential confounding variables, and that the effect of postpartum PTSD symptoms on couple relationship satisfaction will be mediated by postpartum depression symptoms. This study is based on data from the Akershus Birth Cohort study, a prospective cohort study. Information from hospital records and questionnaires completed at 17 weeks gestational age, as well as at 8 weeks and 2 years postpartum were used (n = 1480). PTSD symptoms were measured by the Impact of Event Scale and couple relationship satisfaction was assessed using a modified version of the Mehrabians Marital Satisfaction Scale. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using bivariate correlations, multivariate regression analyses, and mediation analyses. Postpartum PTSD symptoms were prospectively related to low couple relationship satisfaction at 2 years postpartum, even when controlling for a considerable number of background factors. When including postpartum depression symptoms as predictor in the analyses, the effect of postpartum PTSD was no longer significant. Moreover, more detailed analyses showed that postpartum depression symptoms acted as a significant mediator, fully explaining the association of postpartum PTSD with couples’ relationship satisfaction. Early detection of couples’ relationship problems and the provision of professional help, particularly in high-risk couples may not only improve the quality of the couple relationship but also improve parenting and promote positive child outcomes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Impact of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress and Depression Symptoms on Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction: A Population-Based Prospective Study

et al. 2018

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“…Monson, Fredman, and Dekel (2010) proposed the Cognitive Behavioral Interpersonal (CBI) model, which also asserts bidirectional associations among individual and couple-level factors and focuses primarily on cognitions, behaviors, and emotions. Most recently, Marshall and Kuijer (2017) proposed the Dyadic Responses to Trauma (DRT) model, which hypothesizes that event interpretation and coping styles lead to specific psychological responses that, in turn, impact relationship processes. Each of these models captures the importance of considering both partners and proposes a set of specific individual and couple-level factors as key mechanisms of action.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Posttraumatic stress disorder and relationship functioning: A comprehensive review and organizational framework

Campbell

Renshaw

2018

Clinical Psychology Review

104

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Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with impairments in relationship functioning. Beyond the abundance of research that has demonstrated this basic link, more recent research has begun to explore possible mediators and moderators of this association. The present paper reviews and synthesizes existing literature in the context of an overarching organizational framework of potential ways in which PTSD impacts relationship functioning. The framework organizes findings in terms of specific elements of PTSD and comorbid conditions, mediators (factors that are posited to explain or account for the association), and moderators (factors that are posited to alter the strength of the association). Specific symptoms of PTSD, comorbid symptoms, and many of the potential mediators explored have extensive overlap, raising questions of possible tautology and redundancy in findings. Some findings suggest that non-specific symptoms, such as depression or anger, account for more variance in relationship impairments than trauma-specific symptoms, such as re-experiencing. Moderators, which are characterized as individual, relational, or environmental in nature, have been the subject of far less research in comparison to other factors. Recommendations for future research and clinical implications of the findings reviewed are also presented.

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“…A recent study conducted in China during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that emotional well-being in married people was lower than in unmarried people (49). Evidence suggests that stressful or life-threatening events, such as natural disasters, can lead to a decline in the quality of relationships due to stress and con ict or, instead, improve the quality of relationships and intimacy (50)(51)(52). Also, during the COVID-19 con nement, several factors can lead to increased tension between romantic partners con ned together, such as disturbed everyday activities, the fear of the pandemic, loss of physical activity, loss of outside social networks, lack of access to non-essential health services, and reduced physical interaction in overcrowded households (53).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Distress Among Lebanese Women During the COVID-19 Confinement: Any Mediating Effect of Violence?

Haddad

Malaeb

Sacre³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Background: Violence among women is associated with poor psychological health and increased internalizing symptoms, such as depression, stress, and anxiety. The primary objective was to evaluate the association of marital conflict, pregnancy status, socioeconomic status, and stressful life events with violence, depression, anxiety, and stress. The secondary objective was to evaluate the mediating effect of violence on psychological distress.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 369 women between June 8 and August 1, 2020. The questionnaire was developed on Google Forms and distributed online, using the snowball technique. Results: Higher marital conflict (Beta=0.159), financial difficulties (Beta=2.572), a history of child abuse (Beta=2.546), and higher violence scores (Beta=0.121) were significantly associated with higher depression scores. Higher marital conflict (Beta=0.358) and having financial difficulties (Beta=3.859) were significantly associated with higher anxiety scores. Higher marital conflict (Beta=0.070) and financial difficulties (Beta=1.483) were significantly associated with higher perceived stress scores. Composite abuse scale partially mediated the association between pregnancy status (25.28%), financial difficulties (7.71%), history of child abuse (21.92%), abuse by a family member (50.50%), and anxiety scale. Also, the composite abuse scale partially mediated the association between marital conflict (21.42%), financial difficulties (14.17%), history of child abuse (20.05%), abuse by a family member (33.57%), and depression scale. Conclusion: Our main findings suggest that violence mediated the association between pregnancy status, marital conflicts, financial difficulties, and depression and anxiety but did not mediate between these factors and stress. Further studies are needed to understand better the factors that mediate the relations between domestic violence and mental well-being among Lebanese women.

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Weathering the storm? The impact of trauma on romantic relationships

Cited by 42 publications

References 33 publications

The Impact of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress and Depression Symptoms on Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction: A Population-Based Prospective Study

The Impact of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress and Depression Symptoms on Couples’ Relationship Satisfaction: A Population-Based Prospective Study

Posttraumatic stress disorder and relationship functioning: A comprehensive review and organizational framework

Psychological Distress Among Lebanese Women During the COVID-19 Confinement: Any Mediating Effect of Violence?

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