The Impact of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Vietnam Veterans on Marital Satisfaction and Spouse/Partner Depression and the Role of Attributions

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Vietnam veterans (n=50) and marital satisfaction and depression in their spouse/partners (S/P). In line with previous research, veterans with higher scores on a PTSD assessment had S/Ps with higher levels of depression and lower levels of marital satisfaction. There was not a statistically significant relationship between S/Ps depressive symptoms and the S/Ps level of marital satisfaction. The S/P attributing their veterans behavior to their war experience (Vietnam attributions) did not impact these relationships. Responsibility attributions, or believing that the veterans behavior was done on purpose to hurt the other person or the behavior was done for selfish reasons, explained a significant amount of the variance in the PTSD-marital satisfaction relationship but did not act as a moderator and did not play a role in the PTSD-depression relationship. Clinical implications are discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2011
Accession Number
AD1013369

Entities

People

  • Kimberly A. Speck

Organizations

  • Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Depression
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Families (Human)
  • Human Behavior
  • Iraqi-War
  • Marriage
  • Mental Disorders
  • Mood Disorders
  • New York
  • Prisoners Of War
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychology
  • Regression Analysis
  • Social Psychology
  • Traumatic Stress Disorder

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.