The influence of military sexual trauma on returning OEF/OIF male veterans.

Abstract

Military sexual trauma (MST) encompasses experiences of sexual harassment and/or assault that occur during active duty military service. MST is associated with postdeployment mental health, interpersonal, and physical difficulties and appears to be more influential in the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than other active duty experiences, including combat, among women veterans. Although some literature suggests that men who experience MST also evidence significant postdeployment difficulties, research in this area is lacking. The current study evaluated a large sample of returning male veterans (N = 961) who served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan. Veterans were referred for treatment in a trauma and anxiety specialty clinic at a large VA hospital. Of this sample, 18% (n = 173) reported MST perpetrated by a member of their unit. Results indicated veterans who reported MST were younger (p = .001), less likely to be currently married (p < .001), more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder (p = .040), and more likely to have experienced non-MST sexual abuse either as children or adults (p < .001). Analyses revealed that MST was negatively associated with postdeployment social support (p < .001 and positively associated with postdeployment perceived emotional mistreatment (p = .004), but was not associated with postdeployment loss of romantic relationship (p = .264), job loss (p = .351), or unemployment (p = .741) after statistically controlling for other trauma exposures and current social support. Results reflect the detrimental associations of MST on male veterans and the need for more research in this area. These findings also highlight the need for treatment interventions that address social and interpersonal functioning in addition to symptoms of depressive disorders.

Military sexual assault (MSA) among veterans in Southern California: Associations with physical health, psychological health, and risk behaviors.

“…Nearly 5% of male and more than 40% of female veterans in our study reported experiences of unwanted sexual contact during their military service; similar rates were found among a recent population-based sample of OEF/OIF veterans (Barth et al, 2016). Although these rates of MSA are higher than those previously reported among other population-based samples of veterans (Kang et al, 2005;Klingensmith, Tsai, Mota, Southwick, & Pietrzak, 2014;Street et al, 2008), they are within the ranges reported among samples derived from the VA health care system Fontana & Rosenheck, 1998;Hankin et al, 1999;Mondragon et al, 2015;Sadler et al, 2003;Surìs et al, 2007).…”

Psychiatric and Interpersonal Correlates of Suicide Ideation in Military Sexual Trauma Survivors: The National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

“…Prior research has demonstrated that MST is associated with lower social support, decreased social functioning, familial dissatisfaction, and difficulties with intimate relationships and social readjustment. 12 – 15 Moreover, interpersonal processes have been implicated in suicidal ideation in other samples—as both risk and protective factors. For example, loneliness is associated with suicidal ideation, 16 whereas social support is inversely associated with suicidal ideation.…”

Needs of Male Sexual Assault Victims in the U.S. Armed Forces

“…Among military veterans who sought care at a VA facility, men and women who had experienced MST had higher odds of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other anxiety disorders, and depression than veterans who were not victims of MST during their military career (Kimerling et al, 2010;Maguen et al, 2012). Research focusing specifically on male veterans has shown that men who experienced MST, or sexual assault specifically, self-reported a greater number of depression symptoms and were more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder than were men who had not had these experiences (Chang et al, 2003;Mondragon et al, 2015). Male victims, whether civilian or military, may experience suicidal ideation, and some may make a suicide attempt (Schry et al, 2015;Tiet, Finney, and Moos, 2006;Walker, Archer, and Davies, 2005).…”

“…Previous research showed that, among veterans who had been referred to a mental health clinic for anxiety, those who had experienced MST (1) perceived less support from those in their social network than those who had not experienced MST and (2) were more likely to indicate that they have been "shamed, embarrassed, or repeatedly told [they were] no good" ( Mondragon et al, 2015).…”

“…MST, as defined by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs screening questions, includes experiencing sexual contact via threat or force or experiencing unwanted sexual attention (e.g., touching, pressuring for sexual favors) while in the military (Maguen et al, 2012). Previous research showed that, among veterans who had been referred to a mental health clinic for anxiety, those who had experienced MST (1) perceived less support from those in their social network than those who had not experienced MST and (2) were more likely to indicate that they had been "shamed, embarrassed, or repeatedly told [they were] no good" (Mondragon et al, 2015).To ensure that all military sexual assault victims have immediate access to advocacy, social support, and information, each service branch's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response or Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program includes victim advocates who are available to guide victims through reporting decisions, provide information about available services, accompany victims to post-assault medical or legal appointments, address immediate safety needs, and offer support (DoD, 2013).Support services may be particularly important to male victims. Four of the military service providers we interviewed believed that male sexual assault victims have less social support, and ten providers believed that male victims experience more shame than female victims.…”