title: Longitudinal analyses of family functioning in veterans and their partners across treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the relations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and poor family functioning in veterans and their partners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from Caucasian veterans with PTSD (N = 1,822) and their partners (N = 702); mean age = 53.9 years, SD = 7.36. Veterans completed the Posttraumatic Checklist Military Version (PCL-M) and, along with their partners, completed the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD-12). Assessments were conducted at intake into a treatment program at 3 months and 9 months posttreatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Structural equation models (SEMs) were developed for veterans as well as for veterans and their partners. Poor family functioning for veterans at intake predicted intrusion (β = .08), hyperarousal (β = .07), and avoidance (β = .09) at 3 months posttreatment. At 3 months posttreatment, family functioning predicted hyperarousal (β = .09) and avoidance (β = .10) at 9 months. For veterans and their partners, family functioning at intake predicted avoidance (β = .07) at 3 months, and poor family functioning at 3 months predicted intrusion (β = .09) and hyperarousal (β = .14) at 9 months. The reverse pathways, with PTSD symptoms predicting poor family functioning, were only evident with avoidance (β = .06).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family functioning may play a role in treatment for veterans.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora 3086, Victoria, Australia. l.evans@latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cowlishaw
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parslow
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal; D057189:Checklist; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008388:Marital Therapy; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*