Posttraumatic stress disorder service dogs and the wellbeing of veteran families.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Benefits and challenges associated with service dogs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may extend beyond veterans to their families.

Objective

The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the impact of veterans' PTSD service dogs on spouses and families in a parallel-group, longitudinal design with assessments at baseline and three months follow-up.

Method

A total of 88 United States military veteran spouses completed a survey composed of multiple standardized measures at baseline and three months later. In the intervention group (n = 48), veterans received service dogs shortly after baseline while the waitlist control group (n = 40) did not.

Results

Linear regression analyses demonstrated significantly lower car

SUBMITTER: Nieforth LO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9103270 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature