Investigating Relations between Traumatic Brain Injury and Relationship Functioning among OIF/OEF Veterans

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common injuries among Veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). TBI can negatively affect Veterans' close relationships, undermining an important source of support to aid recovery and rehabilitation. Given the complex symptom profile of TBI, the present research aimed to pinpoint key mediators of the link between TBI and marital functioning to help identify targets for intervention. Data from married OIF/OEF Veterans (N=188) were drawn from a larger sample. Mediation analyses simultaneously examined the potential roles of depressive, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and post-concussive symptoms in the association between TBI and Veterans' marital satisfaction. Results revealed associations between TBI and all three types of symptoms; however, only depressive symptoms independently mediated the association between TBI and marital satisfaction. These findings suggest depression as a mechanism by which TBI may interfere with healthy relationship functioning and highlight targets for intervention.