TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - Awareness of posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans: a female spouse/intimate partner perspective
JO  - Military medicine
A1  - Buchanan, Cassandra
A1  - Kemppainen, Jeanne
A1  - Smith, Stephanie
A1  - MacKain, Sally
A1  - Cox, Catherine Wilson
SP  - 743
EP  - 751
VL  - 176
IS  - 7
N2  - The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify perspectives of female spouses/intimate partners regarding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in returning Iraq and Afghanistan combat Veterans. Through the use of a self-administered questionnaire based on Flanagan's critical incident technique, reports were obtained from a purposive sample of 34 spouses/intimate partners of Veterans recruited through a social group for military spouses and a university in southeastern North Carolina. Two-thirds of the participants reported not having received formal education about PTSD. The main perceived barriers to PTSD treatment seeking were denial of symptoms, fear, and stigma about disclosing PTSD symptoms. Spouses/intimate partners observed Veterans for changes in behavior and routines, disturbed sleep patterns, and nightmares. In the event of PTSD treatment resistance, spouses/intimate partners reported they would suggest the need for treatment, issue an ultimatum, take action, or offer patience and support without taking any action.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0026-4075
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -