Challenges of living with veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder from the perspective of spouses: a qualitative content analysis study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The needs and characteristics of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) create significant challenges in family life, particularly for spouses. Identifying the nature of these challenges from the perspective of spouses leads to a more comprehensive and profound understanding of their existing problems and can be used for targeted interventions. Therefore, this research was conducted to explore the challenges of living with veterans suffering from PTSD from the perspective of their spouses. METHODS: This qualitative study used conventional content analysis to explore Challenges of spouses of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Fifteen spouses of veterans with PTSD from the Veterans Affairs Center in Iran between June 2022 and January 2023, were purposively selected to participate in the study. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using the method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman content analysis method with the support of MAXQDA 2020 software. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 56.74 ± 6.43 years. Through data analysis, seven main categories and sixteen subcategories were identified. These categories included burnout (sleep disturbances, feelings of exhaustion), apathy towards self-care and caring for the veteran (neglecting self-care, lack of interest in continuing care), depression (feelings of hopelessness and being at the end of the line, decreased self-confidence ( Crushed and ignored (being mistreated, having multiple roles), relationship disturbances (Dissatisfaction with marital relationship,isolation and limited social interactions, disconnection from God), financial burden (heavy costs of care, lack of insurance support), and declining social status (negative attitude of the society, suffering from discrimination and inequality). CONCLUSION: The consequences of PTSD-related injuries in veterans directly and indirectly affect the overall living conditions of their spouses. These spouses experience emotional detachment and constant rejection, leading to a decrease in their resilience against existing stressors and exposing them to disruptive and challenging issues in individual, family, and social dimensions of life that affect their physical and mental well-being. Therefore, these spouses require empowerment and access to social support in dimensions of educational, caregiving, therapeutic, and supportive. It is recommended that health policymakers pay special attention to designing up-to-date interventions to enhance the health of these spouses in physical, mental, spiritual, and social dimensions.

The effectiveness of PMT program on parent-child relationship in parents with ADHD children: A randomized trial.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder in children that creates problems in parents-children relationships. Improving familial and social interactions of these children needs mental and social interventions, and parents' management training (PMT) program is one of these interventions. The present study aimed at determining the effectiveness of PMT program on parent-child relationship of parents with ADHD children. Methods: Through an experimental research, 40 parents with ADHD children were selected based on purposeful sampling. A total of 20 parents were randomly placed in intervention group and received 8 sessions of intervention course (60 minutes per session) and the other 20 parents were grouped in the control group and received no training intervention. Research tools included a researcher-designed demographics questionnaire and Parker's Bonding Instrument (PBI). Data were collected at pretest, posttest, and follow- up stages and analyzed using descriptive and covariance analysis. Results: The results revealed that PMT program was significantly effective in reducing excessive support and increasing parent care index in parents with ADHD children (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study supported the effectiveness of PMT program on parent-child relationship of the parents with ADHD children.