The Relationship between Personality Traits and the Desire for Divorce in Disabled Veterans: The Mediating Role of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Disabled veterans are exposed to post-traumatic stress disorder and problems in their marital relationships due to their exposure to war incidents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of post-traumatic stress disorder in the relationship between personality traits and the desire for divorce in disabled veterans.

The research method utilized here is descriptive-correlational. Using the purposive sampling method, 128 disabled veterans were selected from among the clients referring to family courts and counseling centers in Tehran. The Impact of Event Scale (self-report version), the Five-Factor Personality Questionnaire and the Desire for Divorce Scale were used as data collection instruments. Statistical correlation test and path analysis were used to analyze the data.

The results showed that personality traits including extroversion, flexibility, agreeableness and shouldering responsibility have an indirect relationship and neuroticism has a direct relationship with the desire for divorce. The results further revealed that, in disabled veterans, personality traits lead to marital problems and a desire for divorce through creating post-traumatic stress disorder.

Based on the results, disabled veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder can be helped to reduce their marital dissatisfaction by correcting their personality problems and subsequently eliminating this disorder.