Impact of Veterans PTSD on Their Childrens Outcomes: Intervening Effects of Family Functioning
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abstract
The associations among Veterans PTSD symptoms, poorer family functioning, and negative child outcomes have been established in the extant literature. However, the influences of family processes on the association between Veterans PTSD symptoms and negative child outcomes have not been examined in-depth. The present study aimed to disentangle the role of family processes which may potentially contribute to more efficacious prevention and intervention efforts targeting Veterans and their families. Data were provided by Veterans (N = 69) who were in a committed relationship and the primary caretaker of a child between the ages of 3-18 years. Veterans completed self-report measures assessing their psychological, family, and childs functioning. Mediation analyses indicated that Veterans parenting satisfaction mediated the association between Veterans PTSD and negative child outcomes, suggesting that Veteran PTSD symptoms impact ones satisfaction and feelings of effectiveness as a parent, and that it is partially through ones satisfaction with the parenting role that the detrimental effects of PTSD impact child functioning. Hierarchical linear regression analyses provided additional support for the unique, significant contribution of parenting satisfaction on child functioning. Additionally, age of the child and the Veterans satisfaction in the marriage or similar committed relationship emerged as significant moderators of the association between Veterans PTSD and negative child outcomes. Specifically, this association was stronger for children who were 8.5 years of age or older, and for Veterans who reported low to average levels of relationship satisfaction. Results from this current study are discussed within the Family Attachment Network framework. Implications for prevention and intervention efforts related to the role of family processes in modulating the effect of Veterans PTSD symptoms on child functioning are also highlighted.
