The Together Programme: Supporting Caregiving Partners of veterans
Abstract: In a recent analysis conducted by Combat Stress of UK, partners living alongside veterans with mental health difficulties, rates for depression and PTSD were higher compared to the external population (depression 39% Vs 20%, PTSD 17% Vs 3%. (Murphy, Palmer & Busuttil, 2016). As such this suggests the high burden of need within this group. The support currently available here in the UK mainly comprises of peer based support. Whilst research indicates the positive impact peer led groups can have, the clinical severity of partners symptoms implies a need for more structured, bespoke and evidence based intervention. To this end, a bid for funding to support the development of an evidence based intervention ‘The Together Programme’ for UK veterans partners was made and kindly awarded by The Royal British Legion in 2016. Based on review findings, two US psychoeducational programmes, SAFE and Homefront Strong (see glossary) which have been found to be effective and well accepted within the US military population were selected as the most appropriate base to devloop a UK specific injtervention to support military partners.
Abstract: The unique demands of military life can adversely impact romantic relationships; however, research has mainly focused on these adverse outcomes at one-time point, overlooking changes over time or potential positive outcomes. Using a subsample of 3,845 male and female military personnel and veterans from a large UK dataset, this study examined positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction between two-time points (2007–2009; 2014–2016). Most participants reported no change in their relationship satisfaction, suggesting stability − 8% reported a positive change and 10% a negative change. Positive change was associated with being in a long-term relationship, alcohol misuse remission, and persistent alcohol misuse. Negative change was associated with the onset of mental health problems (probable PTSD, CMD, or alcohol misuse) and having children under 18. Some factors, like increasing age, childhood family relationship adversity, and mental health problems, were associated with both positive and negative changes in relationship satisfaction. This study highlights the complexity of factors associated with relationship satisfaction among military personnel and veterans, with some experiencing positive changes, as well as negative changes over time.