Family Models of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

This chapter reviews the extant literature on the interpersonal aspects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with a focus on couple and family models of PTSD. Topics include the association of PTSD with a variety of family relationship problems in a range of traumatized populations. The role of relevant interpersonal constructs in the onset and maintenance of PTSD (e.g., social support, communication patterns) and the psychological effects of PTSD symptoms on family members and their interactions are discussed. In addition, models that take into account a range of relationship variables and the likely bidirectional association between individual and family functioning in PTSD are presented. Future directions for theory and research, as well as the clinical implications of this work, are outlined.