title: Experiences of wives of Iranian war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder regarding social relationships.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the lived experiences of wives of Iranian veterans with PTSD concerning their social relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative design with a qualitative content analysis approach was used for data collection and analysis of wives' experiences. Fourteen wives of war veterans with PTSD participated in this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative data were collected using in-depth semistructured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Dynamic interaction between the limited social world and the spiritual world, and (2) Seeking a sensitive and assistive atmosphere. Disruption of social activities, necessity of the public's realistic perception of families' problems, and the need for additional social support were among the most emphasized points made by participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings of the study can provide some direction for priority setting of problems and designing interventions to improve social lives of wives of Iranian patients diagnosed with PTSD. Further, the findings provide a base for comparing similar possible studies conducted in other societies with the Iranian society.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyyed A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Vagharseyyedin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare
keywords: Iran; PTSD; content analysis; social relationships; wives of war veterans