Alpha Asymmetry in Female Military Spouses Following Deployment

Abstract

In the present investigation the authors incorporate a social/affective neuroscience approach to assess the relationship between deployment and electrical brain activity of women married to service members. In particular, the researchers examined influences associated with alpha asymmetry over the frontal cortex. Results suggest that length of time since returning from deployment and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are associated with greater activity in the right hemisphere of the brain which is associated with a tendency to withdraw from an uncomfortable stimulus.

Keywords:

• deployment
• alpha asymmetry
• social/affective neuroscience
• emotion
• electrical brain activity
• wives of service personnel
• military family
• feminist family therapy
• trauma
• couple therapy

Acknowledgments

This research was supported in part by the Kathryn Louise Chellgren Endowment, University of Kentucky.