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Trauma and couples: Mechanisms in dyadic functioning
Author(s) -
Henry Stacey Blalock,
Smith Douglas B.,
Archuleta Kristy L.,
SandersHahs Erin,
Goff Briana S. Nelson,
Reisbig Allison M. J.,
Schwerdtfeger Kami L.,
Bole Amy,
Hayes Everett,
Hoheisel Carol B.,
Nye Ben,
OsbyWilliams Jamie,
Scheer Tamera
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.2010.00203.x
Subject(s) - psychology , coping (psychology) , interpersonal communication , affect (linguistics) , interpersonal relationship , clinical psychology , qualitative research , psychotherapist , developmental psychology , social psychology , social science , communication , sociology
Research traditionally has focused on the development of symptoms in those who experienced trauma directly but overlooked the impact of trauma on the families of victims. In recent years, researchers and clinicians have begun to examine how individual exposure to traumatic events affects the spouses/partners, children, and professional helpers of trauma survivors. The current study reports data from a larger mixed‐methodology study that includes qualitative interview data from 17 individuals, coded to identify the mechanisms that may affect the couple’s interpersonal functioning when there is a history of trauma exposure in one or both partners. The following primary themes were identified: role in the relationship, boundary issues, intimacy problems, triggers, and coping mechanisms. Areas for future research and clinical implications also are identified.