Forty Bosnian refugee couples living in the United States completed a translated version of the PTSD Symptom Scale - Self Report, the Behavioral Acculturation Scale, the Marital Satisfaction Inventory - Revised, and a demographic questionnaire. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology was the best predictor of marital functioning and was related negatively to acculturation. After controlling for PTSD, acculturation did not predict marital functioning. Wives' marital satisfaction was best predicted by husbands' PTSD, husbands' acculturation, and their own PTSD. Husbands' marital satisfaction was not predicted significantly by any of these variables. These findings suggest several implications for mental health professionals dealing with refugees and other traumatized populations.

posttraumatic stress disorder Bosnian refugees Marital functioning Acculturation

rating scale symptomatology refugee Spouses demography human Refugees middle aged Self Report war Chicago Bosnia and Herzegovina Aged Psychological Tests marriage Bosnia-Herzegovina Humans male Acculturation prediction female questionnaire cultural factor Article major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Texas