Perceived burden in spouses of National Guard/Reserve service members deployed during Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom

▶ Spousal burden is directly related to PTSD, depression, and anxiety in OEF/OIF veterans. ▶ These relations are present regardless of symptom severity. ▶ Burden fully mediates the relation between spouses' distress and each type of veterans' symptoms. ▶ Several characteristics of spouses are directly related to and help account for spousal burden. ▶ Although characteristics of spouses are related to burden, veterans' symptoms play a primary role.