Skip to main content
Article
Battling on the Home Front: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Conflict Behavior Among Military Couples
Behavior Therapy
  • Lynne M. Knobloch-Fedders, Marquette University
  • Catherine Caska-Walace, University of Washington
  • Timothy W. Smith, University of Utah
  • Keith Renshaw, George Mason University
Document Type
Article
Language
eng
Publication Date
3-1-2017
Publisher
Elsevier
Disciplines
Abstract

This study evaluated interpersonal behavior differences among male military service members with and without PTSD and their female partners. Couples (N = 64) completed a 17-minute videotaped conflict discussion, and their interaction behavior was coded using the circumplex-based Structural Analysis of Social Behavior model (SASB; Benjamin, 1979, 1987, 2000). Within couples, the behavior of partners was very similar. Compared to military couples without PTSD, couples with PTSD displayed more interpersonal hostility and control. Couples with PTSD also exhibited more sulking, blaming, and controlling behavior, and less affirming and connecting behavior, than couples without PTSD. Results advance our understanding of the relational impacts of PTSD on military service members and their partners, and underscore the value of couple-based interventions for PTSD in the context of relationship distress.

Comments

Accepted version. Behavior Therapy, Vol. 48, No. 2 (March 2017): 247-261. DOI. © 2017 Elsevier B.V. Used with permission.

Citation Information
Lynne M. Knobloch-Fedders, Catherine Caska-Walace, Timothy W. Smith and Keith Renshaw. "Battling on the Home Front: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Conflict Behavior Among Military Couples" Behavior Therapy (2017) ISSN: 0005-7894
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lynne-knobloch-fedders/1/