Associations among disaster exposure, intimate relationship adjustment, and PTSD symptoms: can disaster exposure enhance a relationship?
This study examined associations among disaster characteristics, relationship adjustment, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology 9 months postdisaster in 205 women exposed to extensive flooding. Bivariately, threat/harm and loss exposure dimensions were related to each other but differentially related to relationship adjustment and PTSD symptoms. Results from structural equation modeling revealed a positive and significant direct association between threat/harm and PTSD symptoms. Conversely, loss was not significantly associated with PTSD symptoms, but was positively and significantly associated with relationship adjustment. Relationship adjustment was negatively and significantly related to PTSD symptoms. These data suggest that some aspects of disaster exposure can have a mobilizing and positive effect on intimate relationships. In turn, positive intimate relationships may buffer individuals against PTSD symptoms.
Fredman
Steffany J
SJ
National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA. steffany.fredman@va.gov
Monson
Candice M
CM
Schumm
Jeremiah A
JA
Adair
Kathryn C
KC
Taft
Casey T
CT
Resick
Patricia A
PA
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004190:Disasters; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D055868:Floods; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult