Marital satisfaction and trauma-related symptoms among injured survivors of terror attacks and their spouses

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Weinberg ◽  
Avi Besser ◽  
Virgil Zeigler-Hill ◽  
Yuval Neria

This study examined the relationships between marital satisfaction and trauma-related symptoms (i.e., post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety) among 105 couples of injured survivors of terror attacks and their spouses ( N = 210). Structural equation modeling and the actor–partner interdependence model were used to test the interdependence relationship between survivors’ and spouses’ marital satisfaction and trauma-related symptoms. The results demonstrated that the level of marital satisfaction reported by unexposed spouses was negatively associated with their own trauma-related symptoms as well as with the symptoms reported by the survivors. In contrast, the level of marital satisfaction reported by the survivors was negatively associated with their own trauma-related symptoms but had no connection with trauma-related symptoms reported by their spouses. Taken together, our findings shed new light on the potential links between marital satisfaction and trauma-related symptoms for survivors of terrorism and their spouses. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are also discussed.

2009 ◽  
Vol 40 (7) ◽  
pp. 1215-1223 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Liedl ◽  
M. O'Donnell ◽  
M. Creamer ◽  
D. Silove ◽  
A. McFarlane ◽  
...  

BackgroundPain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are frequently co-morbid in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Although several models attempt to explain the relationship between these two disorders, the mechanisms underlying the relationship remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between each PTSD symptom cluster and pain over the course of post-traumatic adjustment.MethodIn a longitudinal study, injury patients (n=824) were assessed within 1 week post-injury, and then at 3 and 12 months. Pain was measured using a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). PTSD symptoms were assessed using the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to identify causal relationships between pain and PTSD.ResultsIn a saturated model we found that the relationship between acute pain and 12-month pain was mediated by arousal symptoms at 3 months. We also found that the relationship between baseline arousal and re-experiencing symptoms, and later 12-month arousal and re-experiencing symptoms, was mediated by 3-month pain levels. The final model showed a good fit [χ2=16.97, df=12, p>0.05, Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.999, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)=0.022].ConclusionsThese findings provide evidence of mutual maintenance between pain and PTSD.


Author(s):  
Olusola Ayandele ◽  
Cristian A. Ramos-Vera ◽  
Steven K. Iorfa ◽  
Catherine O. Chovwen ◽  
Peter O. Olapegba

Since COVID-19 currently has no proven cure but high morbidity and mortality; many people are living in fear of the virus along with other mental health challenges induced by the lockdowns and social distancing. Hence, this study aims to provide evidence on the co-occurrence and inter-relations between the fear of COVID-19, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and psychological distress in adherence to preventive health behavior among Nigerians. It also seeks to determine whether this process differs for men and women. The sample comprised 1,172 consenting young adults (mean age = 22.9 ± 6.6 years, 54.5% females) selected using a snowball sampling technique. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the mediation model of post-traumatic stress symptoms and psychological distress as parallel and serial mediators of the relationship between the fear of COVID-19 and preventive health behavior. The indirect effect of the fear of COVID-19 on preventive health behavior across gender was tested using moderation analysis. Results showed that post-traumatic stress symptoms and psychological distress serially and fully, in causal order, mediated the association between the fear of COVID-19 and preventive health behavior, and gender moderated the mediation effects. The research provides evidence that the fear of COVID-19 could trigger preventive health behavior through post-traumatic stress symptoms but reduces it through psychological distress, whereas the fear of COVID-19 has a slightly more positive impact on preventive health behavior among men.


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