Examining the characteristics of couples’ communication in relationships where one partner suffers from post trauma stress symptoms

One of the significant elements identified as a key to satisfaction from intimate relationships is the communication between the couple. Positive communication is associated with high relationship satisfaction and may help couples navigate crisis situations, such as when one partner suffers from PTSD. In the current study, we examined communication characteristics among couples in which one partner suffers from PTSD following a military event, while examining their correlation with marital satisfaction and post-traumatic symptoms using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

15 heterosexual couples seeking joint Cognitive Behavioral Therapy were asked during assessment to share one another positive experience from their relationship and to discuss with one another how PTSD affected their relationship. This was filmed transcribed and analyzed. In addition, several quantitative indicators that emerged in conversations were defined and tested, such as number of words used, number of the “we talk” and positive and negative emotions expressed. Participants also completed a self-report marital satisfaction questionnaire and the PCL-5.

Even when couples shared a positive experience, some negativity appeared in their conversation, and they had difficulty expressing emotions. Correlations were identified within the communication characteristics. Although no significant correlation was found between communication characteristics and marital satisfaction or post-traumatic symptoms, probably because of sample's size, we did notice a trend of positive correlations between the post-traumatic husband's marital satisfaction and number of words he uses as opposed to a trend of negative correlations with his wife's number of words. There was also a trend of negative correlations between the husband’s PCL and the number of positive emotional expressions between partners and the wife.

The present study adds to the importance of recognizing and understanding communication characteristics among couples in which one of the partners suffers from PTSD to improve the couples' communication, relieve PTSD symptoms and increase relationship’s satisfaction.