Relationship among combat experience, Veteran pathology, and pathology of Veterans’ intimate partners: Factors predicting the pathology of Veterans and their intimate partners

Abstract: For nearly 20 years, military members and their families have been involved in some form of military operation in support of what is known as the Global War on Terrorism. Research has shown that military members and Veterans demonstrate increased levels of mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. No studies to date, however, have explored how the resulting mental illness is shared by the intimate partners of these military members and Veterans. For this research, the term “resonating of pathology” is used to identify this phenomenon. The research authors surveyed combat Veterans and their intimate partners to gather the data for analysis. The authors then completed statistical analysis to examine both associations and predictive factors that would help clinicians, researchers, and academics understand and develop theories and clinical interventions for such couples. Although the research appears to confirm this sharing of mental health diagnosis, more research will be needed to create a better understanding in the future.