War Zone Veterans' Cognitive Decline Linked to Intimate Partners' Stress

Strategic Insights -

A recent study conducted by researchers at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine has found a significant association between war zone veterans' cognitive decline and increased stress levels among their intimate partners. The findings, published in the journal Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, suggest that the negative effects of deployment on veterans can extend to their loved ones, impacting their daily lives and mental health.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study followed a nationally dispersed sample of U.S. Army soldiers from before their first deployment to the Iraq War, spanning an average of eight years from their return.
  • Researchers administered the Medical Outcomes Study Cognitive Functioning scale to measure veterans' self-reported cognitive-related functioning, while their partners completed the Everyday Stressors Index to evaluate day-to-day stressors.
  • A decline in veterans' self-reported cognitive functioning was associated with higher levels of stress among their intimate partners.
  • The study highlights the importance of providing support to family members of individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
  • Funding for the study was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health (Grant 1R01MH094422-01A1).
  • Previous collection of archived data was supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (Grant DAMD17-03-0020) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Clinical Science Research and Development.

Statistics:

  • The study involved a sample of U.S. Army soldiers deployed to the Iraq War.
  • Researchers administered the Medical Outcomes Study Cognitive Functioning scale to measure veterans' self-reported cognitive-related functioning.
  • The Everyday Stressors Index was used to evaluate the impact of day-to-day stressors experienced by family members of deployed individuals.
  • The study spanned approximately eight years from when veterans returned from deployment.
  • A four-item version of the Medical Outcomes Study Cognitive Functioning scale was used to measure self-perception of cognitive-related functioning.
  • The Everyday Stressors Index is a 20-item self-report measurement.

Sources:

  • Vasterling, Jennifer J., et al. "The relationship between war zone Veterans' cognitive decline and intimate partner stress." Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 2025, doi:10.1037/tra000044.
  • National Institute of Mental Health. Funding Information: 1R01MH094422-01A1.
  • U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command. Grant: DAMD17-03-0020.