Contrasting ecological contexts among treatment-seeking military sexual assault survivors: Consideration of relationships with sexual and gender minority identification.

Abstract

Survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) seeking mental health services may present with concerns extending beyond symptom relief. Attention to social, economic, and coping resource contexts is salient for care consideration. Although those identifying as sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are overrepresented among service members exposed to assaultive MST, research contrasting ecological resource variability among treatment seekers is limited. The present study delineates modifiable risk and protective factors that might be used to inform MST-related health care for Veterans, broadly, and SGM-identifying Veterans, specifically. Veterans (N = 493, 12.8% identifying as SGM) presenting for treatment secondary to military sexual assault completed a semistructured clinical interview and intake survey including demographic characteristics, diversity-related factors, and access to psychosocial resources. SGM/non-SGM-identifying groups were contrasted on individual-, interpersonal-, and community-level ecological characteristics. SGM-identifying Veterans were less likely to report access to sufficient financial resources and had double the prevalence rate of housing instability in contrast to non-SGM-identifying Veterans. No significant differences emerged in terms of past-year interpersonal violence exposure, endorsement of helpful spiritual beliefs, or availability of social support based on SGM identification. Findings underscore the importance of attending to the intersection of SGM identity and ecological factors that can influence Veterans' clinical presentation and treatment engagement. Recommendations for provision of MST services are made. Impact StatementThe present study supports the notion that military sexual trauma is a significant public health concern, and highlights important ecological factors for clinicians to consider in assessing and treating sexual and gender minority-identifying Veterans.

Relationship maintenance among military couples

“…How do perceived norms about military masculinity and the warrior ethos (e.g., Abraham et al, 2017) perpetuate systems of privilege and oppression among biracial military couples making decisions to disclose to each other versus engage in protective buffering? How do social inequalities in the military function to perpetuate military sexual trauma (e.g., Paulson et al, 2022) and govern people’s ability to maintain relationships in healthy ways after victimization? How do interlocking power structures constrain the resources partners have at their disposal when caregiving for a wounded service member over time (e.g., Rylee et al, 2019)?…”