title: The impact of PTSD on veterans' family relationships: an interpretative phenomenological inquiry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although there is a significant amount of literature on veterans with PTSD, there is a limited amount of literature on the impact of PTSD on veterans' family relationships and in turn, how these relationships impact healing from trauma. There is evidence that supportive families and friends are immensely helpful to those recovering from PTSD, but how do the symptoms of PTSD impact family relationships and in turn, impact healing from trauma?
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper examines the impact of PTSD on veterans' family relationships and the impact of these relationships on healing from trauma.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a secondary analysis of a currently unpublished study on contemporary peacekeepers healing from trauma. An interpretative phenomenological approach was used as the methodological framework for the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peacekeepers were recruited from Ontario, although they originated from all over Canada and had experienced active service in many different international locations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten contemporary peacekeepers aged 37-46 who had been deployed to Somalia, Rwanda or the former Yugoslavia were interviewed. The peacekeepers had a variety of ranks, specializations, experience, and service records. Each peacekeeper had been receiving treatment for PTSD for at least 2 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data analysis followed the phenomenological method which seeks to uncover the meanings of phenomena experienced by individuals through the analysis of their descriptions. As the themes evolved for the secondary analysis, the primary researcher returned to the transcripts several times for verification of meaning and to find exemplary quotes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two major themes emerged on the impact of PTSD on veterans' family relationships and how these relationships impact healing from trauma: emotional numbing and anger negatively impacts familial relationships; and emotional withdrawal from family support creates a struggle with healing from trauma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The impact of PTSD on veterans' family relationships, in particular the symptoms of emotional numbing and anger should be heeded. It is recommended that treatment for PTSD include support of the family and interpersonal skills training for military personnel suffering while healing from trauma. Future studies are needed to further explore the impact of PTSD on veterans' family relationships in order to provide the best treatment approaches.
authors.affiliation: The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Nursing, London, Ontario, Canada. slray@uwo.ca
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vanstone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*