Suchergebnisse

Research in both civilian and military populations has demonstrated that females who experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are more likely to experience sexual assault in adulthood than females who did not experience CSA. Among veteran samples, however, little research has examined previous sexual assault as a risk factor of military sexual assault and post-military sexual assault, and very little research has examined revictimization in male veterans. The purpose of this study was to examine risk of sexual revictimization in a sample of veterans who served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A sample of 3,106 veterans (80.4% male) completed a measure of lifetime exposure to traumatic events, including sexual abuse and sexual assault. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine previous sexual abuse/assault as predictors of later sexual assault; analyses were conducted separately for males and females. In general, previous sexual abuse/assault was associated with later sexual assault in both male and female veterans. These findings have important assessment and treatment implications for clinicians working with veterans.

Military sexual trauma (MST) has been linked with increased rates of mental health disorders among veterans. Few studies have addressed how military sexual trauma is related to use of VA and non-VA health care. The purpose of the current study was to (1) examine the association between MST, combat experiences and mental health outcomes (i.e., PTSD and depression) and (2) examine the association of MST and use of VA and non-VA health care services among female veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Female respondents to a survey assessing OEF/OIF veterans' needs and health (N=185) completed measures of demographic variables, military history, combat exposure, MST, PTSD and depression symptoms, and use of VA and non-VA healthcare. Overall, 70% of the sample experienced one or more combat-related experiences and 15.7% endorsed MST during deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan. MST and combat exposure were both positively associated with PTSD and depression symptoms even after controlling for the effects of demographic and military history variables; the interaction between MST and combat exposure was not a significant predictor of PTSD or depression symptoms. MST was associated with increased use of VA mental health services in bivariate results but was not independently related to VA service utilization after accounting for PTSD and depression symptoms. MST and combat exposure are significantly related to PTSD and depression symptoms among female OEF/OIF veterans, but there was not a synergistic effect of these two types of trauma in the current study. Approximately half of women who report MST have not used VA healthcare. Continued outreach and education initiatives may be needed to ensure veterans understand the resources available to address MST related mental and physical health problems through the VA.