A Pilot Study Exploring PTSD Symptom Clusters as Mediators between Trauma Exposure and Attachment Behaviors in Married Adults |
| |
| Authors: | Lauren M. Ruhlmann Kami L. Gallus Austin R. Beck Briana S. Nelson Goff Jared A. Durtschi |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, United States;2. Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States;3. School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, FSHS, Manhattan, Kansas, United States;4. School of Family Studies and Human Services, Kansas State University, Family Studies and Human Services, Manhattan, Kansas, United States |
| |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the mediating effect of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters on the association between trauma exposure and attachment behaviors. Results from bootstrapped mediation analyses with a sample of 116 married adults revealed that total PTSD, avoidance, negative alterations in cognition/mood, and arousal symptoms partially mediated the effect of trauma exposure on perceived attachment behaviors in men only; the intrusion symptom cluster was not significant and there were no significant mediation effects for women. Findings shed light on possible gender variant mechanisms by which trauma may threaten secure attachment bonds in couples. |
| |
| Keywords: | Attachment couples gender PTSD trauma |
|
|
