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Data from a recent mixed-methods study conducted among Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) raise important questions regarding the occurrence of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in this population. Three case studies illustrate two main findings. First, Veterans and family members participating in the study described three patterns of partner violence--violence committed in anger; dissociative violence; and parasomniac/hypnopompic violence--suggesting that distinct patterns of IPV may emerge in relation to PTSD symptoms. Second, participants' descriptions suggest that common ideas about PTSD and war-related suffering can play an important role in influencing how Veterans and their partners respond to episodes of partner violence. It is important for those providing care to PTSD-diagnosed Veterans and their partners to understand when and how partner violence may occur, and how both parties may perceive and respond to it, in order to aid in developing appropriate plans for coping and safety-seeking. Keywords Partner violence * Veterans * PTSD * Patterns of abuse * Trauma, Introduction The majority of military personnel deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) demonstrate resiliency in the face of significant deployment-related challenges. Nonetheless, studies [...]

Assessment of the reliability, validity, and predictive power of a new measure, the Reasons for Living Inventory for Young Adults (RFL-YA) is described. A series of three studies was conducted at two Midwestern universities to develop initial items for this new measure, refine item selection, and demonstrate the psychometric properties of the RFL-YA. The theoretical differences between the RFL-YA and the College Student Reasons for Living Inventory (CS-RFL) are discussed. Although the two measures were not directly compared, it appears that the RFL-YA has greater specificity for exploring aspects of the protective construct and may be more parsimonious than the CS-RFL. Principal-axis factor analysis yielded a five-factor solution for the RFL-YA accounting for 61.5% of the variance. This five-factor oblique model was confirmed in the final phase of investigation. Alpha estimates for the five subscales ranged from .89 to .94. Concurrent, convergent-discriminant, and criterion validity also were demonstrated. The importance of assessing protective factors in addition to negative risk factors for suicidality is discussed. Directions for future research with the RFL-YA also are discussed. Keywords: suicidality; protective factors; psychometrics; college students

The role of adaptive beliefs and attitudes against suicide has not been given adequate attention in the clinical or assessment literature. This article reports on the development and initial psychometric properties of a 32-item self-report inventory, the Reasons for Living Inventory for Adolescents (RFL-A). In Phase 1, we used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to identify five correlated factors: Future Optimism. Suicide-Related Concerns, Family Alliance, Peer Acceptance and Support, and Self-Acceptance. In Phase 2, we cross-validated the 5-factor oblique model in a different group of adolescents recruited from two high schools. In addition, we examined evidence for convergent, discriminant, and construct validities. The coefficient alpha indices for the RFL-A total and scales were satisfactory. In Phase 3, we evaluated additional evidence of reliability and validity using samples of high school and psychiatric inpatient adolescents. The results suggest that the RFL-A is a short, reliable. and valid measure that is potentially useful in the assessment of adolescent suicidal behavior.