Two K-State seniors presenting research in Washington, D.C., on impact of war deployment on relationships

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Source: Briana Nelson Goff, 785-532-1490, bnelson@k-state.edu
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/MediaGuide/nelsonbrianabio.html
News release prepared by: Jane Marshall, 785-532-1519, jpm2@k-state.edu

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

TWO K-STATE SENIORS PRESENTING RESEARCH IN WASHINGTON, D.C., ON IMPACT OF WAR DEPLOYMENT ON RELATIONSHIPS

MANHATTAN -- Two Kansas State University students will be in Washington, D.C., this week to present their research concerning the impact of war deployment on relationships.

Lizette Vargas Strader, senior in psychology, Dodge City, and Theresa Doyle, senior in family life and community services, Overland Park, will present "Coming Home: The Impact of Deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan on Relationship Satisfaction" at Posters on the Hill, a display sponsored by the Council on Undergraduate Research.

Strader and Doyle are members of Trauma Research, Education and Consultation at K-State, also known as TRECK. Their display is among fewer than 80 chosen out of 400 applicants who participated in original research projects. Undergraduate research assistants work extensively with TRECK team projects.

Doyle said the research themes included post traumatic stress, positive relationship adjustment, implicit relationship adjustment, negative impact on the relationship, omission of information, trauma recognition in self, trauma recognition in the partner, and individual and relationship resilience.

Team members interviewed male soldiers and their female partners about how the soldier's war deployment affected the soldier, his spouse/partner and their relationship.

They found that partners who had strong communication were less likely to have their relationship affected by war-related trauma and other problems related to the deployment.

"I cannot wait to tell others of our research and how important it is not only to the people affected directly but to our nation as a whole," said Strader, who is an Army spouse.

Briana Nelson Goff, faculty coordinator for the TRECK program, worked with the students. Goff is interim assistant dean of K-State's College of Human Ecology and an associate professor of family studies and human services.