Collins, Colleen2016-09-062016-09-062016http://hdl.handle.net/1993/31636This qualitative study explores the experiences of women whose military partners have been diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. I sought to understand the influences that PTSD had on family and couple relationships and whether resiliency was a factor in the experiences of the women. Six women were interviewed for this qualitative study. From these interviews, 10 themes were developed: 1. Women’s recognition of partner’s PTSD symptoms was not immediate; 2. Women blamed themselves for their partner’s changed behaviour; 3. PTSD caused significant stress to the couple relationship; 4. PTSD affected the family unit; 5. Women bore the burden and took on more responsibility; 6. Women forsake their own needs (personal sacrifice); 7. Women experienced intense negative emotions; 8. Women’s health and well-being was negatively impacted by partners’ PTSD; 9. Women gained new insights and no longer considered themselves responsible for their partner’s illness; 10. Women demonstrated resilience and coping.engPTSDMilitaryWomenExperiencesPartnersmaster thesis