Caregiver burden and psychological distress in partners of veterans with chronic posttraumatic stress disorder.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Caregiver burden and psychological distress were examined in a sample of 71 partners of Vietnam War combat veterans. Partners of patients (n = 51) diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced more caregiver burden and had poorer psychological adjustment than did partners of veterans without PTSD (n = 20). Among PTSD caregivers, patient PTSD symptom severity and level of interpersonal violence were associated with increased caregiver burden. When accounting for patient PTSD symptom severity, hostility, presence of major depression, level of interpersonal violence, and health complaints, only PTSD severity was uniquely associated with caregiver burden. Caregiver sociodemographic factors including age, race, education, and the availability of social support, did not moderate the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and caregiver burden. Caregiver burden was strongly related to spouse psychological adjustment.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Calhoun, PS; Beckham, JC; Bosworth, HB

Published Date

  • June 2002

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 15 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 205 - 212

PubMed ID

  • 12092912

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0894-9867

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1023/A:1015251210928

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States