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Longitudinal associations between interpersonal relationship functioning and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in recently traumatized individuals: differential findings by assessment method

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 October 2021

Candice M. Monson Open the ORCID record for Candice M. Monson [Opens in a new window] ,
Philippe Shnaider ,
Anne C. Wagner ,
Rachel E. Liebman ,
Nicole D. Pukay-Martin ,
Meredith S. H. Landy ,
Sonya G. Wanklyn ,
Michael Suvak ,
Tae L. Hart  and
Naomi Koerner
Candice M. Monson*
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Philippe Shnaider
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
Anne C. Wagner
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada Remedy, Toronto, ON, Canada
Rachel E. Liebman
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
Nicole D. Pukay-Martin
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada US VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Meredith S. H. Landy
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Sonya G. Wanklyn
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Michael Suvak
Affiliation:
Suffolk University, Boston, MA, USA
Tae L. Hart
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
Naomi Koerner
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
*
Author for correspondence: Candice M. Monson, E-mail: candice.monson@ryerson.ca
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Abstract

Background

The role of interpersonal relationship functioning in trauma recovery is well-established. However, much of this research has been done with cross-sectional samples, often years after trauma exposure, using self-report methodology only, and is focused on intimate relationship adjustment.

Methods

The current study investigated the longitudinal associations between interpersonal (intimate and non-intimate) relationship functioning and clinician- and self-reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in 151 recently (within the past 6 months) traumatized individuals. Participants were assessed at four time points over 1 year.

Results

Approximately 53% of the sample was diagnosed with PTSD at initial assessment, with declining rates of diagnostic status over time to 16%. Latent difference score (LDS) modeling revealed nonlinear declines in both clinician-assessed and self-reported PTSD symptom severity, with faster declines in earlier periods. Likewise, LDS models revealed nonlinear declines in negative (conflict) aspects of interpersonal relationship functioning, but linear declines in positive (support, depth) aspects. The relationship between PTSD and relationship functioning differed for clinician- and self-reported PTSD. Bivariate LDS modeling revealed significant cross-lagged effects from relationship conflict to clinician-assessed PTSD, and significant cross-lagged effects from self-reported PTSD to relationship conflict over time.

Conclusions

These results highlight that the variability in prior results may be related to the method of assessing PTSD symptomatology and different relational constructs. Implications for theory and early intervention are discussed.

Keywords

Interpersonal relationshipslatent difference scorelongitudinalposttraumatic stress disordertrauma
Type
Original Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 53 , Issue 6 , April 2023 , pp. 2205 - 2215
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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