Higher anhedonia and dysphoric arousal relate to lower relationship satisfaction among trauma-exposed female service members/veterans

Objective: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms of detachment, anhedonia, and hyperarousal are associated with poorer relationship satisfaction. Such findings are limited to earlier models of PTSD and samples that were almost exclusively male. The association of current PTSD symptom clusters with relationship satisfaction in partnered female service members/veterans (SM/Vs) are understudied. Methods: This study examined the association of PTSD (PTSD Checklist-5 [PCL-5]) symptom clusters identified in the anhedonia model and relationship satisfaction (Couples’ Satisfaction Index-4) in 477 partnered female SM/Vs. Results: Higher anhedonia and dysphoric arousal were associated with lower relationship satisfaction. Among those who scored 31+ on the PCL-5 (n = 255, 53.46%), which is a suggested cutoff for a probable PTSD diagnosis, only higher anhedonia was associated with poorer relationship satisfaction. Conclusions: The association of PTSD symptom clusters with relationship satisfaction are similar for male and female SM/Vs. Interventions to improve relationship satisfaction may focus on reducing anhedonia and dysphoric arousal.