title: Social Information Processing in Anger Expression and Partner Violence in Returning U.S. Veterans.
abstract: We examined social information processing factors that could represent pathways through which posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms relate to anger expression and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration in returning U.S. veterans. The sample included 92 male Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, primarily Caucasian (77.4%), with smaller numbers of African American, Asian, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaskan Native, and other minority participants (9.7%, 2.2%, 2.2%, 3.2%, and 5.3% respectively). The average age was 40.37 (SD = 9.63) years. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires (PTSD Checklist, State-Trait Anger Expression Scale, Revised Conflict Tactics Scales) and the Articulated Thoughts in Simulated Situations experimental protocol. Laboratory-based assessment of cognitive biases and hostile attributions were tested as mediators of associations between PTSD symptoms and anger expression and IPV. Among the PTSD symptom clusters, hyperarousal symptoms were most strongly associated with anger expression (r = .50) and IPV perpetration (r = .27). Cognitive biases mediated associations between PTSD total scores and 3 of 4 PTSD cluster scores as well as anger expression. Hostile attribution biases were also associated with IPV perpetration (r = .23). We discuss the implications of these findings for understanding social information processing mechanisms for the relationship between PTSD symptoms and aggression.
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Casey T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Taft
authors.affiliation: Behavioral Sciences Division, National Center for PTSD, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Robin P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Weatherill
authors.affiliation: Psychology Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, and Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Jillian Panuzio
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.affiliation: VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs, Environmental Epidemiology Service, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Han K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Eckhardt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000374:Aggression; D000786:Anger; D001143:Arousal; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D019260:Expressed Emotion; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*