Hidden Veterans: A Review of the Literature on Women Veterans in Contemporary Society

Dodds, Christina; Kiernan, Matthew D.

doi:10.1177/1054137319834775

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 51 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The number of female military veterans in the UK is increasing, with the proportion of women in the veteran population expected to grow to 13% by 2028 1 . Despite this, only 2% of veteran research mentions women, and an even smaller percentage focuses on women 2 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in barriers to mental healthcare for UK military veterans: a preliminary investigation

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionLimited UK research focuses on female military veterans’ gender-related experiences and issues when accessing civilian mental healthcare support. This study sought to illuminate a preliminary understanding of any gender differences in barriers that may discourage them accessing mental healthcare support.MethodsA total of 100 participants completed an open online survey of UK triservice veterans who identified as having experienced postmilitary mental health problems. They completed a 30-item Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation scale and were asked to elaborate using free-text questions. Resulting quantitative data were analysed for gender-related differences, while the qualitative text was thematically explored.ResultsWhile stigma, previous poor experience of mental healthcare and a lack of trust in civilian providers were found to act as barriers to postmilitary support for both men and women, significantly more women reported that their gender had also impacted on their intention to seek help. Women also commented on the impact of gender-related discrimination during service on their help-seeking experiences.ConclusionsWhile efforts are being made by the UK Ministry of Defence to reduce barriers to mental healthcare for those still serving in the Armed Forces, it has been more difficult to provide a similar level of support to the veteran population. With little veteran research focusing on the specific experiences of women, this study suggests that female veterans encounter specific access barriers and issues related to their gender. Further research is therefore needed to ensure these findings are addressed.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender differences in barriers to mental healthcare for UK military veterans: a preliminary investigation

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…With this in mind, and considering trauma as a conduit to psychological growth in military women (Dodds & Kiernan, 2019), the current study will use Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA: Smith, 2004) to explore the subjective positive and negative interpretations of gender minimization and sexual abuse in the military as experienced by ex-military women during their service. Their perspectives will enhance scant current knowledge of a phenomenon that is complex in its interpersonal, organizational, and gender construction.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(hedonistic framework), described as feelings of positive affect and minimal distress associated with satisfaction with life, or psychological well-being, associated with self-perceptions of successfully living a life with meaning and purpose that is not dependent on affective states, is being investigated (Durkin & Joseph, 2009). With this in mind, and considering trauma as a conduit to psychological growth in military women (Dodds & Kiernan, 2019), the current study will use Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA: Smith, 2004) to explore the subjective positive and negative interpretations of gender minimization and sexual abuse in the military as experienced by ex-military women during their service. Their perspectives will enhance scant current knowledge of a phenomenon that is complex in its interpersonal, organizational, and gender construction.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Relentless, aggressive, and pervasive: Exploring gender minimization and sexual abuse experienced by women ex-military veterans.

McCormack¹,

Bennett²

2023

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: Contextually embedded and sanctioned gender minimization and sexual abuse toward female personnel within the military appears widespread. Left unabated, mental health complications of female personnel will challenge care responsibilities for military organizations. Method: Interview data from six exmilitary women that sought positive and negative interpretations of gender minimization and sexual abuse while in the military was analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Analysis revealed two superordinate themes: (a) Immature Culture, and (b) Ejection and Growth. These overarched four subordinate themes that explored fostered patriarchy and male privilege in the military. Participants expressed experiencing relentless belittling that eroded early adolescent goals of success and aborted their ability to thrive psychologically. By association, interpersonal violence compounded by organizational complicity triggered internalized shame and narcissistic defenses. Discharging from the military is remembered as a painful, isolated struggle for these participants as they sought to make sense of their fragmented identities as women. With time, all participants acknowledged pride in skills achieved during military life, and the strength to speak out against embedded organizational abuse. A persistent ruminative struggle to make sense of complex systemic biases against women that allowed organizational abuse to flourish facilitated posttraumatic growth. Conclusions: For these participants, personal experiences of gender minimization and sexual abuse in the military incubated a betrayal of hope and moral safety. As women, they felt violated at an organizational level seemingly orchestrated by male privilege and patriarchy. Clinical priorities include reparative validation and holistic trauma support underpinned by trauma and posttraumatic growth frameworks. Clinical Impact StatementFor women military personnel and veterans, psychological care should be cognizant that trauma exposure is potentially multifaceted inclusive of combat and interpersonal abuse. Those who experience gender minimization and sexual abuse while serving in the military would benefit from: 1) An organizational reparative validative therapeutic approach inclusive of betrayal trauma; 2) Clinical awareness of potential experiences of shame and fractured self-identity associated with collegial and/or organizational sexual abuse; 3) Strengths-based approaches that redefine skills and build on trauma recovery and acknowledge the cognitive struggle necessary for posttraumatic growth.

show abstract

“…Despite women's growing prevalence, the military continues to be regarded as a male-dominated field where stereotypically masculine traits (such as strength and aggression) continue to be privileged above traits typically associated with femininity (such as emotion and caring) (Eichler, 2017). Such views often perpetuate the minority status of women in the armed forces, resulting in women being underrepresented or missing completely from veteran research (Dodds & Kiernan, 2019). In turn, this has resulted in veteran services often being tailored to the needs of men and not being appropriately equipped to address the needs of female veterans (Forces in Mind Trust, 2017;Yano et al, 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Treatment in the Female Veteran Population: A Qualitative Study

Graham

Murphy

Hendrikx

2022

Journal of Veterans Studies

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Although female veterans are a growing population, there remains limited research on their unique experiences specifically within the United Kingdom (UK). The limited data available indicates that female veterans are at increased risk of developing mental health disorders following their discharge from the military. However, female veterans make up a small proportion of those seeking mental health treatment. This study is the first qualitative study to explore the barriers faced by UK female veterans in accessing mental health treatment. The sample of the present study took part in a larger cohort study investigating the mental health needs of female veterans. A total of 61 female veterans responded to a qualitative item on the online survey that was investigating barriers they experienced in accessing mental health treatment compared to their male peers. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis to identify key themes in the data. Five key themes were identified: access barriers, lack of understanding from professionals, gender-related discrimination, mental health stigma, and sexual orientation-related discrimination. The current findings suggested that in addition to treatment-seeking barriers experienced more generally in the military, female veterans may face unique barriers to seeking support. With little veteran research focusing solely on the needs of women, further research is needed to better understand the barriers women face in seeking support. Further attention is also required to ensure such findings are practically implemented within veteran-specific and general mental health services.

show abstract

Hidden Veterans: A Review of the Literature on Women Veterans in Contemporary Society

Cited by 18 publications

References 51 publications

Gender differences in barriers to mental healthcare for UK military veterans: a preliminary investigation

Gender differences in barriers to mental healthcare for UK military veterans: a preliminary investigation

Relentless, aggressive, and pervasive: Exploring gender minimization and sexual abuse experienced by women ex-military veterans.

Exploring Barriers to Mental Health Treatment in the Female Veteran Population: A Qualitative Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About