The vicarious effects of discrimination: How partner experiences of discrimination affect individual health.

Little is known about how discriminatory experiences are associated with interpersonal relationships-specifically whether one person's experience of discrimination has psychological effects on their partner and their relationship (i.e., vicarious effects). Using dyadic data analyses, we examined actor and partner effects of discriminatory experiences on self-rated health, chronic illness, depression, and relationship strain in a sample of 1,949 couples (3,898 participants). Actor and partner discrimination were associated with poorer health, greater depression, and greater relationship strain. These effects were mediated by higher levels of relationship strain. Our findings provide insight into the effects of direct and vicarious experiences of discrimination on interpersonal relationships.

Posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, levels of social support, and emotional hiding in returning veterans.

The current study examines the associations among levels of social support, emotional hiding, and screening positive for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within a sample of 536 Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OIF/OEF) veterans. Michigan and Ohio OIF/OEF veterans were contacted to complete a postdeployment mental health screening questionnaire developed as part of the Department of Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System's Serving Returning Veterans Mental Health Program. Approximately 30% of veterans screened positive for PTSD. All sources of social support, as well as emotional hiding, were significantly associated with screening positive for PTSD. Each unit increase of emotional hiding from spouses or significant others, friends, and family was associated with a 32% to 44% increase in odds of screening positive for PTSD. Additional research is needed to examine constructs related to social support and PTSD, such as emotional hiding, in order to identify areas for intervention.

Mild traumatic brain injury and treatment response in prolonged exposure for PTSD.

A proportion of U.S. veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have experienced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which is associated with increased risk for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prolonged Exposure (PE) has proven effectiveness in the treatment of PTSD; however, some clinicians have reservations about using PE with individuals with a history of mTBI. We examined the impact of PE for veterans with PTSD and with or without a history of mTBI in a naturalistic sample of 51 veterans who received PE at a Veterans Health Administration PTSD clinic. We also analyzed previously collected data from a controlled trial of 22 veterans randomly assigned to PE or present centered therapy. For both sets of data, we found that PE reduced symptom levels and we also did not detect an effect for mTBI, suggesting that PE may be helpful for individuals with PTSD and a history of mTBI.