There is a positive association between female veterans’ ACEs and her male significant others' depression. 

ACEs and Depression For Military Couples

Compared to male veterans, female veterans in a study had more ACEs and lower relationship satisfaction. There is a negative association between veterans’ ACEs and their non-veteran male significant others' relationship satisfaction. 

ACEs Effects on Veterans’ Relationships

Partners emotional experiences influence each other, especially stressful ones, causing either more distress or less positive effect in the partner. 

New Mexico Highlands University

May cause insecure attachment styles (anxious or avoidant), and act withdrawn, critical, or emotionally dysregulated. Those with ACEs reported fear of intimacy and difficulty establishing relationships and experienced shorter relationships. 

Effects of ACEs on Relationships

Khalifian, C. E., Bosch, J., Knopp, K., Delay, C., Sohn, M. J., & Morland, L. A. (2022). Adverse childhood experiences, mental health, and relationship satisfaction in military couples. Journal of Family Psychology, 36(4), 630–635. https://doi-org.proxy.wichita.edu/10.1037/fam0000952

Adverse childhood experiences, mental health, and relationship satisfaction in military couples

Those with higher ACEs may form relationships together. This may be a source of strength for some couples. 

Assortative Mating 

Emotional Transmission Theory

Male veterans reported more emotional numbing.

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