Associations Between Service Members' Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Partner Accommodation Over Time

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Military Psychology

Background:

• Service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may experience partner accommodation behaviors.
• These behaviors, such as avoidance or conflict minimization, can inadvertently maintain or exacerbate PTSD symptoms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the bidirectional relationship between service member PTSD symptoms and partner accommodation.
• To examine longitudinal pathways between PTSD symptoms and accommodation over 18 months.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a random-intercept cross-lagged panel model with 274 male service member/female civilian couples.
• Assessed self-reported PTSD symptoms and partner accommodation at four time points.
• Analyzed both between-couple and within-couple effects.

Main Results:

• Higher service member PTSD symptoms correlated with higher partner accommodation (between-couple, r = .40).
• Elevated PTSD symptoms predicted subsequent increases in partner accommodation (within-couple, β = .19).
• Partner accommodation did not predict subsequent PTSD symptom increases (β = .03).

Conclusions:

• Service member PTSD symptoms significantly drive increases in partner accommodation.
• Both stable and time-specific associations exist between PTSD and accommodation.
• Treating PTSD within an interpersonal context is crucial for individual and relational well-being.