Relationship satisfaction of veterans and partners seeking couples therapy: Associations with posttraumatic stress, accommodation, and depression
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Giff, S. T., Teves, J., Petty, K., Kansky, J., & Libet, J. (2023). Relationship satisfaction of veterans and partners seeking couples therapy: Associations with posttraumatic stress, accommodation, and depression. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000250
Abstract Created by REACH:
This cross-sectional study examined how symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive symptoms, and PTSD accommodation behaviors (e.g., changing one’s behaviors to reduce or avoid a partner’s distress) among Veterans and their partners related to their and their partners’ relationship satisfaction. Veteran men and their civilian partners (N = 181 heterosexual couples) who sought couples therapy at a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center reported their PTSD symptom severity, depressive symptoms, accommodation behaviors, and relationship satisfaction. In general, partners’ depressive symptoms and their accommodation of Veterans’ PTSD symptoms were related to lower relationship satisfaction for both partners.
Focus:
Veterans
Couples
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Spouse of service member or veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Authors:
Giff, Sarah T., Teves, Jenna, Petty, Karen, Kansky, Jessica, Libet, Julian
Abstract:
Associations between symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and relationship distress are well-established in research examining veterans and their romantic partners. Partner accommodation of PTSD symptoms has been identified as an important construct that has ties to both veteran PTSD symptoms and relationship distress. However, our understanding of accommodation and PTSD has not been tested in couples who are seeking couples therapy. The present study sought to investigate the role of veterans’ PTSD symptoms, partners’ accommodation, and depression of both, in relationship satisfaction in 181 couples (male veterans and female partners) presenting for couples therapy at a VA Medical Center. Results suggest that in this sample, accommodation by partners of veterans is significantly negatively associated with their own and veterans’ relationship satisfaction. Depression of both members of the couple was also negatively associated with relationship satisfaction, while veterans’ PTSD symptoms were not consistently linked to relationship satisfaction of either partner. These findings highlight the importance of assessing for accommodation in couples therapy. Integrating modification of accommodation behaviors into couples therapy may help improve couples therapy outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
couples, posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
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