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Stress and PTSD Among OEF/OIF Soldiers & Their Spouses

Award Number: F31MH091915
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2011
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2012

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Stress and PTSD Among OEF/OIF Soldiers & Their Spouses - DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Combat veterans are at an increased risk for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and marital discord. Although a number of investigations have independently linked both PTSD and marital conflict to risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, their combined influence has not yet been examined within the context of a military population. Stress associated with marital interactions could be a pathway through which PTSD influences disease risk; however this has yet to be addressed. The proposed investigation is an initial test of this possible mechanism linking PTSD, marital strain, and risk of cardiovascular disease. Specifically, it will assess the association of PTSD and cardiovascular reactivity (CVR; i.e., increases in heart rate and blood pressure) during potentially stressful marital interactions. We will examine CVR in both veterans (with and without PTSD) and their spouses, as well the recovery of these cardiovascular stress responses following potentially conflictual marital interactions. These relations will be tested via several specific aims. The primary aim of the proposed investigation is to evaluate the differential physiological impact of negative marital interactions on Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom veterans, with and without PTSD, and their spouses. This investigation will primarily focus on CVR, specifically changes in heart rate and blood pressure. Although prior studies have linked PTSD to CVR to stress in veterans, there has been no prior research on these responses during marital interaction and no prior studies of the physiological impact that combat-related PTSD may have on spouses of these individuals. We will also evaluate possible physiological determinants of these cardiovascular responses, using impedance cardiography methodology. We will further explore relationship quality as a mediator of the association between PTSD and physiological reactivity to stress. Lastly, we will examine potentially modifiable aspects of negative marital interactions that may relate to physiological reactivity, such as anger and anxiety in veterans and their spouses. Research of this type is necessary to understand more completely the mechanisms by which combat-related PTSD relates to morbidity and mortality. Findings from this investigation may help to refine interventions for couples with combat-related PTSD, with the ultimate goal of reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease in this population. The objectives of this investigation fit cleanly into the National Institutes of Health mission to "extend healthy life and reduce the burden of illness and disability" and may ultimately improve the lives of our nation's military service members and their families. These goals aim to be accomplished within the context of a specific research training program focused on developing expertise in the areas of psychophysiology, including physiological reactivity to stress, dyadic relationships, and the military population. The training plan proposed includes completion of a number of specific courses, laboratory trainings, close supervision, mentoring, scientific writing and presentation experience, and workshop attendance. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Up to 25% of service members deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan return home showing signs of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and a large portion of these veterans exhibit related medical and marital difficulties. Findings from this investigation will give us a better understanding of military couples' physiological responses to marital stress and may ultimately help to refine interventions for couples with combat-related PTSD, with the ultimate goal of reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease in this population. Such improvements may more broadly reduce the health care utilization and national costs of treating service members with PTSD and will increase our ability to thoroughly care for spouses of our nation's veterans.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2017 ( Subtotal = -$72 )
2017	2012	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH, THE	201 S PRESIDENT CIRCLE RM 408	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Mental Health National Research Service Awards for Research Training	000	2	5/15/2017	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$72
														Subtotal = -$72

Issue Date FY: 2014 ( Subtotal = -$19,069 )
2014	2012	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 SOUTH PRESIDENT`S CIRCLE	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Mental Health National Research Service Awards for Research Training	000	2	12/3/2013	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$19,069
														Subtotal = -$19,069

Issue Date FY: 2012 ( Subtotal = $30,114 )
2012	2012	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 SOUTH PRESIDENT`S CIRCLE	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Mental Health National Research Service Awards for Research Training	001	2	7/20/2012	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2012	2012	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 SOUTH PRESIDENT`S CIRCLE	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Mental Health National Research Service Awards for Research Training	000	2	3/21/2012	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$30,114
														Subtotal = $30,114

Issue Date FY: 2011 ( Subtotal = $29,569 )
2011	2011	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 SOUTH PRESIDENT`S CIRCLE	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	1	2/28/2011	NEW	$29,149
2011	2011	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 SOUTH PRESIDENT`S CIRCLE	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	2/28/2011	NEW	$0
2011	2011	UNIVERSITY OF UTAH	201 SOUTH PRESIDENT`S CIRCLE	SALT LAKE CITY	UT	84112	SALT LAKE	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	002	1	5/9/2011	NEW	$420
														Subtotal = $29,569

Grand Total All Awards = $40,542

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Stress and PTSD Among OEF/OIF Soldiers & Their Spouses

Award Number: F31MH091915

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: FELLOWSHIP/SCHOLARSHIP/STUDENT LOANS

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2011

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2012

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