Erika M Roberge1,2, Nathaniel J Allen3, Judith W Taylor4, Craig J Bryan5. 1. Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Erika.Roberge@utah.edu. 2. National Center for Veterans Studies & The University of Utah. Erika.Roberge@utah.edu. 3. Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 4. Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center. 5. National Center for Veterans Studies & The University of Utah.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anger have been implicated separately in relationship dysfunction for veterans; however, no studies have simultaneously examined the roles of each of these constructs. METHOD: This study examined the roles of PTSD and anger in the relationships of Vietnam veterans and their partners (n = 33 couples) with actor-partner interdependence modeling (APIM). Couples in which the veteran was diagnosed with PTSD (PTSD-positive; n = 20) were compared to couples in which the veteran did not have PTSD (PTSD-negative; n = 13) on measures of frequency of anger and relationship functioning. RESULTS: PTSD-positive and PTSD-negative couples reported similar levels of relationship functioning, yet PTSD-positive veterans reported experiencing anger significantly more often than PTSD-negative veterans. Across groups, anger was predictive of relationship functioning, but PTSD severity was not. CONCLUSIONS: Trait anger may have a more deleterious effect on relationship functioning than PTSD symptoms. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
OBJECTIVE:Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anger have been implicated separately in relationship dysfunction for veterans; however, no studies have simultaneously examined the roles of each of these constructs. METHOD: This study examined the roles of PTSD and anger in the relationships of Vietnam veterans and their partners (n = 33 couples) with actor-partner interdependence modeling (APIM). Couples in which the veteran was diagnosed with PTSD (PTSD-positive; n = 20) were compared to couples in which the veteran did not have PTSD (PTSD-negative; n = 13) on measures of frequency of anger and relationship functioning. RESULTS:PTSD-positive and PTSD-negative couples reported similar levels of relationship functioning, yet PTSD-positive veterans reported experiencing anger significantly more often than PTSD-negative veterans. Across groups, anger was predictive of relationship functioning, but PTSD severity was not. CONCLUSIONS: Trait anger may have a more deleterious effect on relationship functioning than PTSD symptoms. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.
Authors: M Tracie Shea; Robert L Stout; Madhavi K Reddy; Elizabeth Sevin; Candice Presseau; Jennifer Lambert; Amy Cameron Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2021-12-08 Impact factor: 8.128