Relationship Functioning in Vietnam Veteran Couples: The Roles of PTSD and Anger.
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Relationship Functioning in Vietnam Veteran Couples: The Roles of PTSD and Anger.
J Clin Psychol. 2016 Apr 20;
Authors: Roberge EM, Allen NJ, Taylor JW, Bryan CJ
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anger have been implicated separately in relationship dysfunction for veterans; however, no studies have simultaneously examined the roles of each of these constructs.
METHOD: This study examined the roles of PTSD and anger in the relationships of Vietnam veterans and their partners (n = 33 couples) with actor-partner interdependence modeling (APIM). Couples in which the veteran was diagnosed with PTSD (PTSD-positive; n = 20) were compared to couples in which the veteran did not have PTSD (PTSD-negative; n = 13) on measures of frequency of anger and relationship functioning.
RESULTS: PTSD-positive and PTSD-negative couples reported similar levels of relationship functioning, yet PTSD-positive veterans reported experiencing anger significantly more often than PTSD-negative veterans. Across groups, anger was predictive of relationship functioning, but PTSD severity was not.
CONCLUSIONS: Trait anger may have a more deleterious effect on relationship functioning than PTSD symptoms. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
PMID: 27096356 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]