The long-term associations between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal ideation (SI) among ex-prisoners of war (ex-POWs) has recently been exemplified. Several studies have revealed the toll of war captivity on secondary traumatization’ (ST) of ex-POWs’ wives. However, a question remains regarding the possible SI among ex-POWs’ wives.

Understanding of SI phenomena among wives of severely traumatized ex-POWs in a longitudinal dyadic designed study.

Assessment of SI among ex-POWs’ wives and the longitudinal associations with their husbands’ PTSD. We also aim to assess the moderating role of the couple's dyadic adjustment in these associations.

A sample of 233 Israeli couples (142 ex-POWs couples and a comparison group of 91 veteran couples) completed self-report measures at two time points: T1 30 (2003-4) and T2 37 (2010) years after the ‘Yom Kipur’ 1973 war.

Surprisingly, no significant differences were found between ex-POWs wives and veterans’ wives, with and without husbands’ PTSD, in SI at T1 and T2. Only among ex-POW couples, an increase in the husband's level of PTSD and SI was related to a more moderate increase in their wives’ SI between T1 and T2. Interestingly, the more a wife reported positive dyadic adjustment, the more moderate the increase in her SI between T1 to T2, regardless of the study group.

Suicidal ideation among ex-POWs’ wives is closely related to their husbands’ PTSD and is moderated by their perception of marital adjustment.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.