title: Couple functioning and post-traumatic stress symptoms in US Army couples: the role of resilience.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate combat-related post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and couple relationships in Army couples. US Army combat veteran couples (N = 66 couples) completed self-report questionnaires on couple functioning, coercion, resilience, and PTSS. In 23% of the couples (n = 15), both members had PTSS above the clinical cut-off for suspected Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Higher levels of PTSS were associated with lower couple functioning and resilience. Individuals with high resilience scores reported higher couple functioning scores, regardless of PTSS (p = .004). Future researchers should focus on the role of resilience in relation to couple functioning, and ways to amplify resilience in military couples.
authors.affiliation: Center for Nursing Science and Clinical Inquiry, Madigan Health Systems, Tacoma, WA 98431, USA.
authors.forename: Kristal C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Melvin
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Matthew J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hayat
authors.forename: Bonnie Mowinski
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Jacquelyn C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D004834:Epilepsy, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D011581:Psychological Tests; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors