Military Sexual Trauma and Suicide Mortality

Kimerling, Rachel; Makin-Byrd, Kerry; Louzon, Samantha A.; Ignacio, Rosalinda V.; McCarthy, John F.

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2015.10.019

Cited by 150 publications

(90 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Similar to studies of civilian women with histories of sexual assault (Ullman & Brecklin, ), female veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) are at heightened risk for suicide (33.4 per 100,000), compared to female veterans who screen negative for MST (14.6 per 100,000; Kimerling, Makin‐Byrd, Louzon, Ignacio, & McCarthy, ). The VA defines MST as “psychological trauma… [that] resulted from a physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred while the Veteran was serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training” (U.S. Government, , p. 285).…”

mentioning

confidence: 79%

Suicide Ideation in Female Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma: The Trauma Source Matters

Blais

Monteith

2018

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Female veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) are at elevated suicide risk, yet knowledge is limited regarding correlates of suicide ideation (SI) in this population. MST is associated with a higher risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) relative to other trauma types; however, no studies have examined whether experiencing SI differs based on the source of PTSD symptoms (MST-related, non-MST-related). Female service members/veterans (SM/Vs; n = 311) who screened positive for MST and reported exposure to a Criterion A event completed an online survey assessing self-reported demographics, PTSD, depression, the source of their PTSD symptoms, and SI. Ninety-one (29.3%) reported experiencing current SI, and 223 (71.7%) identified MST as the source of their current PTSD symptoms. Participants who identified MST as the source of their PTSD symptoms were over two times more likely to report SI, compared to those who described non-MST-related events as the source of their PTSD symptoms. Compared to those who reported the source of their PTSD symptoms as combat-/deployment-related, those who identified MST as the source were at least three times as likely to report current SI. Results underscore the importance of efforts to address MST-related PTSD symptoms when working with female SM/Vs.

show abstract

mentioning

confidence: 79%

Suicide Ideation in Female Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma: The Trauma Source Matters

Blais

Monteith

2018

Suicide & Life Threat Behav

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…With respect to suicidality, Bryan, Bryan and Clemans (2014) Kimerling, Makin-Byrd, Louzon, Ignacio and McCarthy (2016) reported MST was associated with increased risk of suicide completion among men (Hazard Ratio = 1.69) and women (Hazard Ratio = 2.27). Thus, risk for suicidal behavior appears compounded substantially by both diagnostic (PTSD, MDD) and experiential (MST) factors, leading to a uniquely high-risk subset of the Veteran population.…”

Section: Ptsd and Mst As Risk Factors For Suicidalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Relation between sexual and gender minority status and suicide attempts among veterans seeking treatment for military sexual trauma.

Sexton¹,

Davis²,

Anderson³

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is limited study of suicidal behaviors among veterans identifying as sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), despite previous research indicating rates of suicide attempts are high within civilian SGM populations. Further, some research incorporating military service members suggests those identifying as SGMs are disproportionately exposed to military sexual trauma (MST), an additional risk factor for negative psychiatric sequelae. To address health care research disparities among minority veterans (i.e., women, those endorsing MST, SGMs), we examined presentations of veterans (N = 277) who attended initial consultation appointments for MST-related treatment and completed a semistructured clinical interview including demographic characteristics, history of suicide attempts (HSA), and a diagnostic evaluation. Twenty-eight (10.1%) veterans identified as SGMs. SGM/non-SGM groups were contrasted on suicidal and psychiatric morbidity outcomes. Overall, endorsement of HSA was high (30.7%). Despite similar clinical profiles, 53.6% of veterans who identified as SGM endorsed HSA in contrast with 28.1% of peers identifying as heterosexual and nontransgender, a significant effect of small-to-moderate size. Findings suggest assessment and clinical management of suicidality is of critical importance for clinicians providing services to veterans pursuing recovery from MST, generally, and may be especially so when delivering care to SGM. Further, results underscore the need for culturally competent delivery of trauma-focused interventions.

show abstract

“…Data from the VA's universal screening program indicate that 24% of women who received services in fiscal year 2013 reported MST. 69 In a large anonymous national survey of women Veterans, however, an even higher percentage (55%) reported having experienced MST. 70 Although studies have not yet examined associations between MST and pregnancy outcomes, MST has been linked to increased rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use, and may be an independent risk factor for poor pregnancy outcomes.…”

Section: Mental Health and Psychosocial Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preconception Care in the Veterans Health Administration

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Preconception care (PCC), defined as a set of interventions to help women optimize their health and well-being prior to pregnancy, can improve pregnancy outcomes and is recommended by national organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Women Veterans who use the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system may face elevated risks of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes due to a high prevalence of chronic medical and mental health conditions as well as psychosocial stressors including sexual trauma history and intimate partner violence. Many women Veterans of childbearing age experience poverty and homelessness, which are key social determinants of poor reproductive health outcomes. Furthermore, racial/ethnic disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes are well documented, and nearly half of women Veterans of reproductive age are minority race/ethnicity. High-quality, equitable, patient-centered PCC services to address modifiable risks in this population are therefore a priority for VA. In this article, we provide a brief background of PCC, discuss the health risks of Veterans associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and highlight VA initiatives related to PCC. Lastly, we discuss implications and future directions for PCC research and policy within VA and across other health systems.

show abstract

Military Sexual Trauma and Suicide Mortality

Cited by 150 publications

References 29 publications

Suicide Ideation in Female Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma: The Trauma Source Matters

Suicide Ideation in Female Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma: The Trauma Source Matters

Relation between sexual and gender minority status and suicide attempts among veterans seeking treatment for military sexual trauma.

Preconception Care in the Veterans Health Administration

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About