Associations among disaster exposure, intimate relationship adjustment, and PTSD symptoms: can disaster exposure enhance a relationship?

Journal of Traumatic Stress
Steffany J FredmanPatricia A Resick

Abstract

This study examined associations among disaster characteristics, relationship adjustment, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology 9 months postdisaster in 205 women exposed to extensive flooding. Bivariately, threat/harm and loss exposure dimensions were related to each other but differentially related to relationship adjustment and PTSD symptoms. Results from structural equation modeling revealed a positive and significant direct association between threat/harm and PTSD symptoms. Conversely, loss was not significantly associated with PTSD symptoms, but was positively and significantly associated with relationship adjustment. Relationship adjustment was negatively and significantly related to PTSD symptoms. These data suggest that some aspects of disaster exposure can have a mobilizing and positive effect on intimate relationships. In turn, positive intimate relationships may buffer individuals against PTSD symptoms.

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Citations

Jun 26, 2012·Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy·Andreas Maercker, Andrea B Horn
Feb 6, 2010·Journal of Traumatic Stress·Paula P SchnurrTerri L Weaver
Apr 11, 2015·PloS One·Ana FernandezDeborah Black
Sep 20, 2016·Prehospital and Disaster Medicine·Sue Anne Bell, Lisa A Folkerth
Nov 29, 2014·The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry·David M FergussonRoger T Mulder
Oct 31, 2019·Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology·Rahel BachemZahava Solomon
Jan 1, 2013·Disaster Health·James M ShultzYuval Neria
Dec 5, 2019·BJPsych Open·Robyn MolyneauxDavid Forbes
Mar 29, 2019·Qualitative Health Research·Amy C HammockBenjamin Luft
Feb 9, 2021·Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin·Anthony D ManciniPaul Griffin

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