Family-Focused Interventions for PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been shown to have a variety of negative health and mental health effects on those who are afflicted, as well as negative effects on relationships with intimate partners and close relatives. Families are likely to be impacted by the specific nature of the sustained trauma. For example, PTSD related to sexual trauma may be experienced solely by the victim, who is likely to be uniquely impacted by and “impactful” to intimate partners, close family, and friends in the victim’s life. In contrast, PTSD resulting from exposure to natural disasters or terrorism may affect numerous members of a family, particularly when multiple family members have been exposed to the same event or when homes, possessions, or neighborhoods have been broadly affected. Although specific circumstances may require tailored approaches to family intervention, different types of traumas also share commonalities related to their impact on interpersonal relationships, communication, and family functioning. Little is known about effective interventions for families affected by PTSD, regardless of circumstances.