Previous studies have shown that living with war veterans with PTSD influences psychological well-being of their wives.

To examine the presence of secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms, current psychological symptoms, and perceived quality of life among wives of war veterans.

To compare the level of psychological symptoms and perceived quality of life between wives of veterans with PTSD, without PTSD, and wives of non-veterans.

Wives of veterans with PTSD (N = 50) were recruited through their partners/war veterans treated for PTSD in Referral Center for Psychotrauma Rijeka, Croatia. Wives of veterans without PTSD (N = 50) and wives of non-veterans (N = 50) were recruited using the snow-balling method. Sociodemographic questionnaire, Brief symptom inventory, Manchester Short Assesment of Quality of Life and Modified questionnaire for secondary traumatization were administrated.

Thirty-six percent of wives of PTSD affected veterans met the criteria for STSD. Wives of veterans with PTSD have significantly higher level of STS symptoms compared with wives of veterans without PTSD, and higher level of psychological symptoms and lower perceived quality of life compared with other two groups. STS symptoms are positively correlated with psychological symptoms and negatively with perceived quality of life. Main effect on STS symptoms has wives’ knowledge of partner's war traumatic event while the main effect on wives’ psychological symptoms has presence of PTSD in husbands.

The results of our study confirm the concept of STS as psychological consequnce of knowing partner's war traumatic event, while emotional burnout is related with living with PTSD symptoms.