Domestic violence in veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder who seek couples therapy.
Domestic violence rates among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are higher than those of the general population. Individuals who have been diagnosed with PTSD who seek couples therapy with their partners constitute an understudied population. Self-report measures of domestic violence, relationship satisfaction, and intimacy were administered at intake to 179 couples seeking relationship therapy at a Veterans Affairs clinic. Couples in which the veteran was diagnosed with combat-related PTSD were compared with two other groups based on the veteran's primary diagnosis (depression, adjustment disorder/V-code). Both the PTSD- and depression-diagnosed veterans perpetrated more violence than did those with adjustment/V-code diagnoses. Domestic violence rates among depressed and PTSD-diagnosed veterans were much higher than those found in previous research. Implications for assessment and treatment are discussed.
Sherman
Michelle D
MD
Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, Oklahoma 73104, USA. michelle-sherman@ouhsc.edu
Sautter
Fred
F
Jackson
M Hope
MH
Lyons
Judy A
JA
Han
Xiaotong
X
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D011340:Problem Solving; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data