Posttraumatic growth among combat veterans and their siblings: A dyadic approach

Objectives: We aimed to use a dyadic approach to assess the effects of veterans' posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSS) and siblings' secondary PTSS, as well as veterans' and siblings' relationship quality, on primary and secondary posttraumatic growth (PTG). Method: A volunteers' sample of 106 dyads of Israeli combat veterans and their close-in-age siblings responded to self-report questionnaires in a cross-sectional, dyadic design study. Results: Veterans' primary PTG was positively associated with siblings' secondary PTG. Veterans' PTSS and siblings' secondary PTSS were associated with higher levels of primary and secondary PTG, respectively. Furthermore, among veterans, warmth in siblings' relationships was associated with higher levels of primary PTG. However, among siblings, rivalry in sibling relationships was associated with lower levels of secondary PTG. Conclusions: Both veterans' and siblings' PTSS are only related to their own PTG. Moreover, perception of siblings' relationship quality might have a differential effect on PTG among veterans and their siblings.