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Abstract
We aimed to assess the associations between secondary traumatization (ST) and perception of husbands’ posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and marital adjustment among wives of former prisoners of war (POWs). Wives of Israeli ex-POWs and wives of a matched control group of combat veterans were assessed using self-report measures. Ex-POWs’ wives reported higher levels of ST and perception of their husband's PTSS and lower levels of marital adjustment compared with veterans’ wives. Both attachment avoidance and family boundaries were associated with marital adjustment. In addition, family boundaries moderated the relationship between wives’ attachment anxiety and marital adjustment. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
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Notes on contributors
Gadi Zerach
Gadi Zerach is a licensed clinical psychologist and a senior lecturer in the Department of Behavioral Sciences, Ariel University. Dr. Zerach's research focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder among diverse populations such as war veterans and helping professionals, as well as secondary traumatization among trauma victims’ relatives and the effects of trauma and PTSD on victims’ family environment.
Talya Greene
Talya Greene is a lecturer in community mental health at the University of Haifa. Dr. Greene researches trauma, resilience, and posttraumatic growth. She takes a multidisciplinary approach combining epidemiological research with historical and cultural perspectives.
Zahava Solomon
Zahava Solomon is a professor of psychiatric epidemiology and social work at Tel-Aviv University and the director of the Center of Excellence for the Study of Mass Trauma. Professor Solomon was awarded the prize of Israel, which is the highest distinction for academic achievements in Israel.