Impacts of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on Combat Veterans' Family Relationships - Research Proposal Example

? Impacts of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on Combat Veterans' Family Relationships This paper articulates on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD as a psychological disorder that has affected combat veterans globally. Moreover, it discusses the impact of this disorder on families. Apparently, family comprises of the spouses and their children both with extend at which the relationship matters to them and the society at large. Introduction Post – Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder that emanates from extreme terrible experiences that amount to threatening the safety of the individual concerned, to a point of making the individual become extremely vulnerable. As such, the concerned individuals who are at diverse PSTD levels develop a tendency of isolating themselves from places or people who trigger their memories into past incidences that made them frightened especially psychologically. In addition, PTSD is related to anxiety disorder where victims have a continuous nervousness of incidences that are terrible (Ford, 2009). In light of this, PSTD has endlessly affected most if not all family relationships of combat veterans with immediate family members being the most affected due the closeness. Besides, there has been the cause of mental health for the concerned partners who are at times associated with divorce, aggression and other negative impacts. Of importance to note is that PTSD causes lifetime damages for its victims (Brewin, 2007). Although there has been the presence of literature in relation to PTSD, it is important to carry out a comprehensive study in relation to the impacts that the post -traumatic stress disorder has caused to family relationship for combat veterans. Objective of the Study General Objective To investigate the impact of Post -Traumatic Stress Disorder between the combat veterans and their families Specific Objective To understand the main contributors of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in relation to combat veterans To find out whether families of the combat veterans are aware of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder affecting them To gauge the level of PTSD that combats veterans are suffering from Research Questions What are the extreme impacts of PTSD for combat veterans? How should victims of PTSD be treated by their families? What issues contribute to negative family relationships with PSTD combat veterans? In what ways should PSTD victims be supported socially and medically? Hypothesis of the Study The positive effect on the impacts of PTSD on combat veterans and their family relationships The negative effect of the impacts of PTSD on combat veterans and their family relationships Problem Statement Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been categorised as one of the most common psychological disorder globally. Millions of people have been diagnosed with the disorder especially due to their nature of work or other incidences that cause psychological torture and trauma. Such incidences involve wars and conflicts, forceful migration of people, child abuse among other human violating situations. In light of this, medical practitioners have paid more attention to the disorder in a bid to come up with a medical solution that could assist in reducing such incidences. In essence, the past few decades have incorporated research into establishing the optimal control for such disorders because they are bound to happen in the life of human beings every now and then (Brewin, 2007). This study will critically assess the impact of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in combat veterans towards their immediate families, and how the disorder has affected their entire social life as one that revolves around family members and those that are close to them. Literature Review Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that has been diagnosed through the use of Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM IV). In reference to this, two distinct factors are compressed in DSM IV. First, any patient with PTSD must have experience, an incidence or occurrence that was psychologically depressing or one that led to emotional discomfort. Second, any person who has suffered from the disorder must have an idea of treatment that is given to another individual who happened to have an experience of trauma or a physical injury. Of importance to note is that any individual who has the knowledge of unanticipated incidences of both psychological and emotional injuries ought to be treated (Brewin, 2007). In essence, this mental disorder is characterized by three fundamental symptoms known as intrusive or re-experiencing, arousal and avoidance. Apparently, DSM-IV diagnosis facilitates one re-experiencing indicator, three avoidance symptoms and two arousal signs. Most arousal factors entail expressions that are physiological in nature such as restlessness, irritation, aggression, and other similar situations. In respect to avoidance signs, individuals tend to ignore any situation that may trigger past memories. Similarly, intrusive events comprise of all those events that are unworthy in the life of human beings such as nightmares and other disturbing flashback of past events (Ford, 2009). Consequently, individuals who are traumatized are likely to be diagnosed with extreme levels of stress disorders known as Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) in the first month after the disturbing experience. Notably, the signs in Acute Stress Disorder are comprised of PTSD elements, over and above, amnesia and detachment. Any distressing event that connects to PTSD consist of personal characteristics and factors surrounding the incident thus, biological and physiological reaction to a distressing event. Initially, response towards a distressing event is highly likely influenced by an individual’s first reaction in relation to past events that are similar to the situation. Moreover, the idea of having a distressing incident is extremely compelling to an individual resulting to feelings of anxiety, helplessness and vulnerability. In order to solve such an incidence, the individual is better placed if he or she is guided out of the helplessness in a way that promotes advancement of resilience (Galea et al., 2004). In a medical perspective, patients of PTSD experience extensive levels of circulating neropinephrine and high adrenergic reactivity that result to somatic signs related to PTSD which differs from other types of stresses. For instance, patients’ of this disorder exhibit cortisol levels that are below average in a given period of time. Never the less, the presence of this disorder highly depends on people, place and time, thus is mostly associated with combat veterans who are placed in various parts of the world. It is worth mentioning that, the presence of PTSD is witnessed more in incidences that are manmade as compared to naturally intrigued incidences. In line with this, numerous medication and treatment modes are accessible globally for the diagnosis of PTSD especially counselling, psychotherapy, medication and referrals. Through counselling patients are educated on the basic requirements of containing the disorder and getting support from primary care givers. Moreover, the counselling process assists in coming up with therapeutic alliance, and assist patients in understanding the need for therapy and their general recovery. On the other hand, psychotherapy comprises of direct communication between a patient and a health profession. This therapy process has 6 to 12 weeks although it depends with the recovery of the patient. In fact, patients who have continuous support from relatives and close friends are said to recover fast from the disorder. Of most important is that numerous types of psychotherapies target the initial signs of PTSD while the rest focus on family, social and work related challenges. Apparently, recent researchers have indicated some of the impacts of PTSD combat veterans on those that are close to them especially on their children and family relationships. Besides, members of the family including the spouses may experience several challenges in relating with such individuals with or without the knowledge of what individuals are going through. As such, the impact of PTSD is extremely dependent on: Re-Occurrence of Symptoms Combat veterans who have PTSD experience a reoccurrence of the tragic events that they have witnessed in the past through flashbacks or dreams. Essentially, this re-occurrence may be sudden and unintentional where intense emotions such as fear, aggression or anger are exhibited. These emotions may lead to frightening for the combat veterans. In case the children happen to witness such incidences for their parents they may begin to worry about the parents resulting in emotional torture on their side (Monika, 2007). Numbing and Avoidance Symptoms Disturbingly, symptoms of numbing and avoidance are mostly triggered by re-occurrence of traumatizing events. In response to this, parents may withdraw from going to places that remind them about the past. Due to this kind of reaction from parents, children may feel unwanted and not cared for by their parents without understanding that their parents are patients of PTSD. Additionally, individuals with numbing and avoidance symptoms struggle with experiencing positive emotions a situation that makes them feel segregated from the rest of the family, and society at large (Monika, 2007). Hyper arousal Symptoms Initially, patients of PTSD have a tendency to experience extreme levels of anxiety and arousal, which is exhibited through impaired concentration, sleeping difficulties and getting startled over little things. Moreover, they have a high level of irritability, as well as, being overly concerned for their own safety and that of their family. Again, emotions such as irritability and frustration are likely to make parents hostile to their children making their children question their love for them (Monika, 2007). In response to this, research has indicated that there has been increased violence in families of combat veterans as compared to other families. Consequently, children of veterans who have been confirmed to have PTSD are high susceptible to academic, behavioural and interpersonal challenges. On the other hand, parents tend to think that their children are anxious, aggressive and hyperactive compared to those that come from families that have no combat veterans. Hence, children tend to have challenges in building and maintaining social relationships (Ford, 2009). Similarly, spouses of the combat veterans suffer from psychological torture especially when they are not conversant with most of behaviours from these patients. In fact, they experience dysfunctional parenting because most of the children tend to copy some of the behaviour that their ailing parents have including sharing the perception of the public about their parents. In a general sense, the impact of PTSD on combat veterans in family relationships entails their spouses and children although it is weightier in children than in the other parent (Brewin, 2007). Theoretical Foundation Independent Variables Dependent Variable It is apparent those PTSD victims suffer from re-occurrence of symptoms, numbing and avoidance symptoms, and hyper arousal symptoms. These three symptoms occur as a result of acute PTSD, which further translates to bringing up an impact on their families especially spouses and children. Research Method Resign Perspective The research at hand will be carried out by use of cross –sectional survey design that is descriptive, further entailing the collection of data from the selected sample of the population. In essence, the sample population will consist of the PTSD victims and members of the immediate family: spouse and children who will act as a representation of the entire population. The significance of this design is that it deals with multiple cases that are sampled from the targeted population. Research Instruments In regard to acquiring substantial evidence on the impact of PTSD, it is important that the researcher uses questionnaires’ and interviews Questionnaires The researcher will use questionnaires to gather information for the PTSD victims, their spouse and children that are of age and are able use the instruments. The questionnaires will consist of two parts for efficiency purposes. Interviews Apparently, the use of interviews is important in this study as it will be used to gather first hand information from the victims of PTSD, their spouses and their children who are in a position to express them, and understand their surroundings. In addition, the instrument will constitute both structured and semi structured questions. Sampling Method In the research, purposive sampling will be effective in that, only a particular sample of a population will be viable for respondent in relation to particular criteria. In essence, the criteria comprises of the PTSD victims and their families. In this method, videotaping and recording will be used to assist in audience evaluation process. Hence, it is easier to get the actual emotions from these participants leading to a concise collection of data. Validity and Reliability Of most importance in any research is ensuring that instruments to be used are valid and reliable. The process is demonstrated through the use of a pilot project where they are tested and re-tested. Similarly, the researcher will seek for assistance for the supervisor and other researchers on the relevance of the contents to be incorporated in the questionnaire. Data Analysis Once the researcher is through with the collection of data, it is mandatory for him, or her to amend the data by bringing together similar information and grouping it in the correct manner. Moreover, inferential and descriptive analysis must be applied in measuring and determining the co-relation between the existing variables. Ethical Consideration Every comprehensive research must strictly follow ethical consideration. Initially, the researcher must seek permission from relevance authorities before carrying out the study. Furthermore, the researcher must be very cautious when dealing with the respondent as health issues are very sensitive. As such, the researcher should avoid using irrelevant or embarrassing questions that could lead to physical and psychological harm. Anticipated Findings In light of the hypothesis of the study, it is evident that impact of PTSD on combat veteran and their family relationship will have both negative and positive effects. The research ensures that the families of the combat veteran have a clear understanding of the disorder and how to handle the victims. Conversely, the research does not give adequate measures that enable their families to accept their condition. Moreover, the research will not give details on the original causes of PTSD to the combat veteran due to their professional codes that do not allow them to disclose come of the information pertaining to work. References: Brewin, C. (2007). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Malady or Myth? New Jersey: Yale university press. Ford, J. (2009). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Scientific and Professional Dimensions. Amsterdam; Boston: Elsevier/Academic Press. Galea, S.et al. (2004). The Epidemiology Of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder After Disasters. Oxford journal of medicine: epidemiologic reviews, 27, 1: 78-91. Monika, F. (2007). Combat veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder: the effect on their children: a phenomological study. 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