Couple functioning and post-traumatic stress symptoms in US army couples: The role of resilience

Kristal C. Melvin, Deborah Gross, Matthew J. Hayat, Bonnie Mowinski Jennings, Jacquelyn C. Campbell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

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. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)164-177
Number of pages14
JournalResearch in Nursing and Health
Volume35
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • CATS model
  • Couples
  • Military
  • Post-traumatic stress
  • Psychological trauma
  • Resilience

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nursing(all)

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