https://aub.ie/MilitaryREACH-Livingston2022

Livingston, W. S., Fargo, J. D., & Blais, R. K. (2022). Depression symptoms as a potential mediator of the association between disordered eating symptoms and sexual function in women service members and veterans. Military Psychology, 34(6), 687-696. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2052661

This study examined the associations between disordered eating symptoms (e.g., eating restraint, shape concerns), depressive symptoms, and sexual function (e.g., sexual arousal, ability to orgasm) in a sample of 494 women Service members/Veterans (SM/Vs). These associations were examined within the context of SM/Vs’ marital status, discharge status (i.e., Veteran or active duty), history of military sexual trauma (MST), and trauma exposure. Overall, women SM/Vs who reported higher levels of disordered eating symptoms also reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and, in turn, lower levels of sexual function.

https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2052661

Mental health
Physical health
Veterans

Army
Air Force
Navy
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Multiple branches

Veteran
Active Duty

Veteran
Active duty service member

Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)

Quantitative Study

Livingston, Whitney S., Fargo, Jamison D., Blais, Rebecca K.

Sexual dysfunction is associated with disorders commonly diagnosed in service members/veterans (SM/Vs; e.g., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder) and increased risk for suicide in service women. Theory indicates depression may play an important role in predicting sexual dysfunction in the presence of certain mental health challenges, such as disordered eating symptoms. Given the risk for depression and incidence of eating disorders in women SM/Vs, the current study examined whether depressive symptoms mediated the association of disordered eating symptoms and sexual dysfunction in women SM/Vs. Participants (n = 494) were recruited via social media and completed measures of sexual function, disordered eating symptoms, depressive symptom severity, a demographic inventory, and measures of relationship satisfaction and trauma exposure (covariates). Based on self-report measures, probable sexual dysfunction, eating disorder, and depressive disorders were found among 58.70%, 38.5%, and 44.13% of participants, respectively. The relationship of higher disordered eating symptoms and lower sexual function was indirect, through higher depressive symptoms (indirect effect: −0.57, 95% confidence interval: −0.82, −0.34). Findings underscore the importance of screening for sexual function, particularly when disordered eating behavior or depression is present. Integrating treatment for sexual function into existing treatments for women SM/Vs with disordered eating and depression symptoms may be valuable.

Taylor & Francis

Article
REACH Publication

Department of Psychology, Utah State University, WSL
Department of Psychology, Utah State University, JDF
Department of Psychology, Utah State University, RKB
Department of Psychology, Utah State University, RKB