Violence and hostility among families of Vietnam veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

The current study provides a portrait of emotional-behavioral functioning within a small sample of Vietnam veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), their partners, and older adolescent and adult children. Veterans, their partners and children reported moderate-low to moderate-high levels of violent behavior. In addition, partner and veteran hostility scores were elevated relative to gender and age matched norms. Partners also reported heightened levels of psychological maltreatment by veterans. Veterans' combat exposure was positively correlated with hostility and violent behavior among children but unrelated to partner variables. Veterans' reports of PTSD symptoms were positively associated with reports of hostility and violence among children, and hostility and general psychological distress among partners. Veterans' violent behavior was also positively correlated with children's violent behavior, but did not yield significant correlations with other child or partner variables. Findings are discussed in relation to prior work and directions for future research are addressed.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Glenn, DM; Beckham, JC; Feldman, ME; Kirby, AC; Hertzberg, MA; Moore, SD

Published Date

  • August 2002

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 17 / 4

Start / End Page

  • 473 - 489

PubMed ID

  • 12353593

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0886-6708

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1891/vivi.17.4.473.33685

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States