Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity and Relationship Functioning among Partnered Heterosexual and Lesbian Women Veterans
PURPOSE:
Few
studies have examined associations of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and
relationship satisfaction among women Veterans, and no research has explored
these factors in lesbian women Veterans, a large subgroup that may have unique
concerns. This study examined the link between PTSD and relationship
satisfaction in partnered heterosexual and lesbian women Veterans and evaluated
potential moderation by sexual orientation, partner support, and conflict.
METHODS:
Women
Veterans (heterosexual n = 260; lesbian n = 128) were recruited nationally to
complete a cross-sectional online survey. Multiple linear regression models
were used to evaluate moderation, using two- and three-way interactions.
RESULTS:
Partner
support moderated the association between PTSD symptoms and relationship
satisfaction to a different degree for heterosexual and lesbian women Veterans,
playing a more prominent role in this association for lesbian women.
Specifically, for lesbians with low partner support, as PTSD symptoms worsened,
relationship satisfaction decreased at a steeper rate than for heterosexual
women with low partner support. On the other hand, for lesbians with high partner
support, as PTSD symptoms worsened, relationship satisfaction decreased less
sharply than for heterosexual women with high partner support. Degree of
conflict was highly correlated with relationship satisfaction and also appeared
to moderate these relations differently by sexual orientation.
CONCLUSION:
These
findings suggest that women Veterans with PTSD experience impairments in their
romantic relationships, which vary by sexual orientation, partner support, and
conflict. Partner support and conflict may be important targets in assessment
and therapy for women Veterans with PTSD, and especially so for sexual
minorities.
By: Caska-Wallace CM1,2, Katon JG3,4,5, Lehavot K2,3,4,6, McGinn MM1,2, Simpson TL2,6,7.
- 1 Mental Health Service, VA Puget Sound Health Care System , Seattle, Washington.
- 2 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington.
- 3 Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D), VA Puget Sound Health Care System , Seattle, Washington.
- 4 Department of Health Services, University of Washington , Seattle, Washington.
- 5 US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Patient Care Services , Women's Health Services, Washington, DC.
- 6 Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) , VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.
- 7 Center of Excellence in Substance Abuse Treatment and Education (CESATE) , VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington.
- LGBT Health. 2016 Feb 19.
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