Abstract

PEREIRA, M. Graça  and  PEDRAS, Susana. Grupo de suporte para mulheres de veteranos de guerra: Um estudo qualitativo. Aná. Psicológica [online]. 2010, vol.28, n.2, pp.281-294. ISSN 0870-8231.

The consequences of traumatic events experienced in war theatre affect not only the direct victim, but also the wife/partner of the veteran .Psychological intervention on veterans’ wives is important at two levels: first, these women present some psychopathology and difficulties in their marital relationship, and second, the recovery of the veteran himself is easier through the improvement of his marital relationship, that contributes significantly for the reduction of depressive, anxious and hostile symptoms. This study had the participation of 10 women married to war veterans with PSTD who took part in a support group. Through a qualitative methodology, the reasons for their enrolment in the support group, the most important aspects of their participation, the learning that took place, the most difficult aspects of their participation, the changes in their family and marital relationship and the problems reported, were assessed. The results show that these women feel a great need for social relationships and to share problems, they put other people’s needs before their own, their life is centered on the veteran’s well-being, and they do not take good care of their physical health. The intervention had a positive effect promoting a greater knowledge and understanding of PTSD, an increase in the ability to problem solving, better communication and coping strategies to deal with stress and, finally, a greater motivation to make changes at home, on a marital level. Women also reported positive effects on their physical and psychological health. This study emphasizes the importance of intervention in these women with the goal of reducing the negative effects of a long-term exposure to veteran’s PTSD.

Keywords : Combat stress; PTSD; Spouses; Veterans.

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