1 Pre-publication: accepted May 2018 Journal of Marital and Family Therapy “I’M STILL FIGHTING FOR THE TWO OF US”: HOW PARTNERS OF UK VETERANS CONSTRUCT THEIR EXPERIENCE OF LIVING WITH COMBAT- RELATED TRAUMA Emily Doncaster a , Leanne Andrews a , Syd Hiskey b , Susan McPherson a a School of Health and Social Care, University of Essex, Colchester CO4 3SQ b Consultant Clinical Psychologist, NHS Abstract There has been little qualitative research into the experiences of UK partners of veterans with PTSD. This study therefore aimed to explore how partners constructed their experiences of living with the condition. Fifteen female partners of male UK veterans were recruited and interviewed. Using a social constructionist thematic analysis, five themes were constructed : the women's need to subdue own emotional and behavioural responses; dilemmas about whether the veteran was unwell or 'bad'; attempts at negotiating multiple roles; challenging the narrative of veterans as heroes; and the relational struggle with the transition to non- military life. This study highlighted the importance of considering the veteran as existing within a relational and cultural context, and the need to include partners in therapeutic interventions. Key Words: posttraumatic stress disorder; secondary traumatic stress; couple relationship; military veterans; qualitative research