Individual Symptoms and Coping Resources Reported by Trauma Survivors and Their Partners: A Qualitative Research Study with Clinical Couples

Schwerdtfeger, Kami L.; Osby-Williams, Jamie; Hoheisel, Carol B.; Nue, Ben; Goff, Briana S. Nelson; Reisbig, Allison M. J.; Archuieta, Kristy; Henry, Stacey Blalock; Bole, Amy; Hanes, Everett; Sanders-Hahs, Erin M.; Scheer, Tamera; Smith, Douglas B.

doi:10.1080/15332690802238043

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…What mechanisms or moderating factors related to trauma exposure affect the couple system and functioning of the dyad? The other research questions focused on primary and secondary trauma symptoms in both partners (Research Question #1; Schwerdtfeger et al, 2008) and the couple’s interpersonal functioning (interpersonal/systemic secondary traumatic stress symptoms; Research Question #2; Nelson Goff et al, 2006).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trauma and couples: Mechanisms in dyadic functioning

Henry¹,

Smith²,

Archuleta³

et al. 2010

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

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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.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Trauma and couples: Mechanisms in dyadic functioning

Henry¹,

Smith²,

Archuleta³

et al. 2010

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

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“…Although studies have been conducted focusing on the challenges of multicultural differences, such as on Muslim and non-Muslim pairs (Congress & Gonzalez, 2005;Negy & Ferguson, 2004) as well as on the impact of trauma on couples, such as physical, sexual, or verbal abuse (Nelson, Yorgason, Wangsgaard, & Kessler, 2002;Schwerdtfeger et al, 2008), there has been no consideration of how the trauma of religious discrimination affects married couples. Moreover, no social science or psychology studies have provided information on the ways in which Muslin couples utilize the strengths of Islam in dealing with environmental stressors or trauma, the combination of which is equivalent to the religious discrimination experienced by Muslim Americans.…”

Section: The Impact Of Religion-based Trauma On Couplesmentioning

confidence: 98%

The Strengths of Muslim American Couples in the Face of Religious Discrimination Following September 11 and the Iraq War

Carter

2010

Smith College Studies in Social Work

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In a qualitative research study, interviews with six married MuslimAmerican couples revealed their remarkable strengths in coping with the trauma of religious discrimination following September 11 and the Iraq War. Using the lens of trauma theory, this article examines how Muslim American couples are relationally affected by religious discrimination and, paradoxically, how they have responded with increased resiliency through the strengths of their shared faith practice. This article informs social work practitioners how to recognize and foster the strengths, coping mechanisms, and faith integration of Muslim Americans as they respond to the negative affects of their present-day sociopolitical environment.

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“…Patients cope with their injury by relieving physical symptoms (Bostrom et al., ), improving health (Paiva et al., ), and reducing psychological symptoms (Schwerdtfeger et al., ). The theme “applying multiple methods to restore one's health” is relatively culture bound.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Patients often have complicated feelings such as fear, insecurity, anger, and vulnerability in early stages after an injury (Paiva et al., ). Patients can suffer from pain (Bostrom, Magnusson, & Engstrom, ), psychological problems, low self‐esteem, and cognitive impairment (Schwerdtfeger et al., ). In addition, lower quality of life (Paiva et al., ) and life stress (Corrigan, Samuelson, Fridlund, & Thomé, ) are found among injured patients.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Patients with injuries use various coping strategies to deal with pain‐related symptoms, facing the uncertainty of the consequences of their injuries (Bostrom et al., ) and their health status (Paiva et al., ). A previous study focused on patients’ coping resources and psychological symptoms; however, psychological symptoms were seldom expressed by patients or their families (Schwerdtfeger et al., ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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