|
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
|
The Attachment Characteristics of Combat Veterans With PTSD
Edwin F. Renaud*
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: edrenaud{at}comcast.net.
 |
Abstract |
|---|
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from combat exposure has been found to have more disruptive effects on interpersonal and family functioning than trauma from other sources. Attachment theory and Foas cognitive–behavioral model of PTSD suggest pathways by which the symptoms of PTSD may contribute to social impairment. Forty-nine self-selecting male veterans with combat-related PTSD were administered the Experience of Close Relationships (ECR) Scale, the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory (PTCI), the Mississippi Scale for combat PTSD, and a demographic questionnaire to test for relationships between attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, cognitive distortions associated with PTSD, and PTSD symptom severity. Veterans were found to generally endorse avoidant attachment styles. Attachment avoidance and ambivalent attachment were associated with more PTSD symptoms. A hypothesis for the effects of PTSD symptoms on attachment characteristics, situating the findings within existing theory, is proposed.
First published on July 10, 2008, doi:10.1177/1534765608319085
Traumatology 2008;14:1.
A more recent version of this article appeared on September 1, 2008

CiteULike Complore Connotea Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati Twitter What's this?
|
|