Introduction Due to decades of prolonged combat operations, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is widely discussed and generally well conceptualized. The objective of this study was to determine if an educational program on the signs and symptoms of PTSD and an explanation of the current treatments utilized by the Veterans Administration is effective in increasing the knowledge levels of women service members and veterans, leading to seeking treatment. Materials and Methods The design of this study was a quantitative pretest/posttest interventional study. The educational program was conducted at a Senior Citizen Center. The population was a purposive sample of 44 women service members and veterans from a military base in New Jersey. A 25-item PTSD Knowledge Questionnaire developed for the earlier Web-Based Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Education for Military Family Members (2012) study was used as the pretest and posttest. Results The knowledge level of PTSD among women service members and veterans who participated in this study was significantly higher after completing the educational program with 43% indicating that they would seek mental health care. Conclusions Women service members and veterans were ill-informed on the signs, symptoms, and treatment options of PTSD. If the results of this survey are an indicator of the knowledge level of women service members in broader populations, there is a need to restructure how those who are at risk of developing PTSD are educated. Through better educational programs, women and men could seek care with increasingly favorable long-term outcomes.
Search Results
Library (33)
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Showing library results for: women service member
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An education intervention to improve knowledge of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and treatments among U.S. women service members and veterans
APA Citation:
Proctor, D. M., Emmons, K. R., & Scannell-Desch, E. (2023). An education intervention to improve knowledge of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and treatments among U.S. women service members and veterans. Military Medicine, 188(1-2), 368-373. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usab514
Focus:
Programming
Trauma
Veterans
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Reserve
Guard
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Research
Proctor, Denise M.; Emmons, Kevin R.; Scannell-Desch, Elizabeth
2023
Hardship duty: Women's experiences with sexual harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination in the U. S. military
APA Citation:
Bonnes, S. (2023). Hardship duty: Women's experiences with sexual harassment, sexual assault, and discrimination in the U. S. military. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/hardship-duty-9780197636244?cc=us&lang=en&#:~:text=In%20Hardship%20Duty%3A%20Women's%20Experiences,evolving%20education%20programs%20designed%20to https://books.google.com/books?id=vlfhEAAAQBAJ
Focus:
Trauma
Programming
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Book
Bonnes, Stephanie
2023
In the past thirty years, it has become evident that the U.S. military faces widespread and ongoing challenges related to harassment and sexual assault. Despite prevention efforts, estimated sexual assaults are increasing, reporting is decreasing, and the problem persists across all branches of the military. Servicewomen who have experienced and survived these abuses drive the analysis in this book, and their voices are central to these pages. In Hardship Duty: Women's Experiences with Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Discrimination in the U.S. Military, Stephanie Bonnes focuses on the puzzle of how sexual abuse remains highly prevalent in an organization that has dynamic policies, prevention strategies, and evolving education programs designed to combat sexual violence. Drawing primarily on in-depth interviews with fifty servicewomen, Hardship Duty uncovers how masculinity and misogyny are entangled in the organization's structure, policies, values, physical spaces, and culture in ways that create sexual abuse vulnerability. Bonnes demonstrates how privileging masculinity and denigrating femininity at the organizational level encourages harassment at the interpersonal level, how servicewomen are often forced to cope with harassment and sexual abuse on their own--despite policies designed to assist victims--and how women who do report are often treated like institutional enemies, harassed more, and face resistance from the institution. With multiple stories of sexual harassment and sexual assault from U.S. servicewomen, this book not only opens the doors to a normally closed institution, but it also gives voice to those who are marginalized and often silenced within it.
3 Breaking barriers: Women in Army Special Operations
Breaking barriers: Women in Army Special Operations
APA Citation:
United States Army Special Operations Command. (2023). Breaking barriers: Women in Army Special Operations (p. 106). https://www.soc.mil/wia/women-in-arsof-report-2023.pdf
Focus:
Programming
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research and Technical Reports
United States Army Special Operations, Command
2023
In early 2021, without external provocation, the USASOC Commanding General directed an introspective look into our formations to illuminate and ultimately eliminate unique barriers that female service members encounter while serving in our formations. Since the conclusion of the Women in Army Special Operations Forces (WiA) Study in December 2021, USASOC and the Army have made significant progress to break down barriers for all service members across our formations. The general findings of this study reached well beyond the original intent and target audience as it led to gender agnostic discoveries on recruiting, retention, education, policy, healthcare, single parents, child development centers, barracks, safety, and small stature service members in the Army. In USASOC, we strive to maintain a culture where everyone has a voice regardless of rank, gender, age, or any other attribute. This study’s findings are a testament to this endeavor and provided several thousand Soldiers the unique opportunity to share candid comments knowing this command will genuinely listen to their feedback and evolve to better support them. While we acknowledge some of the comments are disappointing and not representative of the USASOC culture and organization as a whole, we chose to conduct this study, devoid of outside influence, to better see ourselves and our most important asset – our people. We stand committed to breaking down all barriers and pledge to continuously strive to address this topic with candor and transparency. This preface is designed to share a summary of actions the command has proactively taken to benefit all Soldiers and bolster the readiness, lethality, and agility that the Nation expects from Army Special Operations Forces.
4 Women in the military negotiating work and family conflicts while reproducing gender inequality
Women in the military negotiating work and family conflicts while reproducing gender inequality
APA Citation:
Plummer, C. (2023). Women in the military negotiating work and family conflicts while reproducing gender inequality. SCIENTIA MORALITAS - International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 8(2), 64-87. https://www.scientiamoralitas.com/index.php/sm/article/view/241
Focus:
Parents
Children
Branch of Service:
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research
Plummer, Chelli
2023
Through a qualitative study of military women who are mothers, this article examines decision-making processes mothers undergo while negotiating the competing devotions of work and family. Subjective experience and the women’s individual life worlds are often overlooked in research on juggling work and family. The military and family are competing institutions (Segal 1986) and consequently, women confront contradictory expectations of the roles they play. This article addresses the following questions: What is the lived experience of the women interviewed in this study as mothers and soldiers? How do they negotiate the competing demands of work and family, and how do they justify not meeting the demands when compromise is necessary? These questions are important as this segment of the population is both growing and ignored. Research on women in the military as mothers is virtually nonexistent. The limited literature that does exist focuses on gender discrimination (Harris 2009) and ignores mothers all together.
Contribution of insomnia after trauma to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in women service members
APA Citation:
Carlson, G., Sharifian, N., Jacobson, I., LeardMann, C., Rull, R., & Martin, J. (2023). Contribution of insomnia after trauma to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in women service members. Sleep, 46(Supplement_1), A154–A155. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsad077.0349
Focus:
Trauma
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research
Carlson, Gwendolyn; Sharifian, Neika; Jacobson, Isabel; LeardMann, Cynthia; Rull, Rudolph; Martin, Jennifer
2023
Trauma can lead to mental health disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Historically, insomnia was thought of as a secondary symptom of these mental health disorders, but current research suggests insomnia can be an independent clinical disorder and can contribute to the development and severity of PTSD and depression among civilians. However, previous studies examining insomnia and mental health symptoms among service members are limited by cross-sectional designs, reliance on retrospective data, or inclusion of predominately male samples. We prospectively examined associations among trauma exposure, insomnia, and mental health symptoms in an exclusive sample of women service members and veterans.We analyzed 2 waves of survey data (2011-2013, Time 1 [T1], and 2014-2016, Time 2 [T2]) from 26,443 current and former women service members from the Millennium Cohort Study. We assessed recent traumas (combat experience and sexual trauma) in the past 3 years, probable insomnia at T1, and probable PTSD and depression at T2. A longitudinal mediation model was used to quantify separate indirect effects of recent traumas on mental health outcomes through probable insomnia.Women who experienced recent sexual assault (odds ratio [OR] = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.24-2.10), sexual harassment (OR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.05-1.41), or combat (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.20-1.49) at T1 had greater risk of probable insomnia at T1 compared with women who had not recently experienced these events. Probable insomnia at T1, in turn, was associated with probable depression (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 2.31-3.06) and PTSD (OR = 2.57; 95% CI, 2.27-2.90) at T2. Recent combat experience did not moderate the associations of recent sexual trauma with insomnia or mental health outcomes.Insomnia contributes to subsequent mental health symptoms following trauma. The diagnosis and treatment of post-trauma insomnia during military service should be prioritized to mitigate the development of posttraumatic mental health symptoms. Sleep health in women service members remains an understudied area of research and should also be prioritized.Millennium Cohort Study: Military Operational Medicine Research Program, Defense Health Program, and Department of Veterans Affairs. VA HSR&D (RCS-20-191, Martin); NHLBI (K24HL143055, Martin).
Contribution of post-trauma insomnia to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in women service members: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study
APA Citation:
Carlson, G. C., Sharifian, N., Jacobson, I., LeardMann, C. A., Rull, R. P., Martin, J. L., & for the Millennium Cohort Study Team. (2022). Contribution of post-trauma insomnia to depression and posttraumatic stress disorder in women service members: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study. Sleep, zsac313. https://doi.org/10.1093/sleep/zsac313
Focus:
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research
Carlson, Gwendolyn C.; Sharifian, Neika; Jacobson, Isabel; LeardMann, Cynthia A.; Rull, Rudolph P.; Martin, Jennifer L.; for the Millennium Cohort Study, Team
2022
We examined whether women service members who reported recent combat and/or sexual trauma experiences had greater risk of insomnia compared with women who did not report these recent experiences, and whether insomnia would be associated with greater risk of mental health outcomes.We analyzed 2 waves of survey data (2011-2013, Time 1 [T1] and 2014-2016, Time 2 [T2]) from 26,443 current and former women service members from the Millennium Cohort Study. We assessed recent traumas in the past 3 years, and probable insomnia at T1 and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression at T2. A longitudinal mediation model was used to quantify separate indirect effects of recent traumas on mental health outcomes through probable insomnia.Women, those who had experienced recent sexual assault (odds ratio [OR] = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.24-2.10), sexual harassment (OR = 1.22; 95% CI, 1.05-1.41), and combat (OR = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.20-1.49) at T1 had greater risk of probable insomnia at T1 compared with women who had not recently experienced these events. Probable insomnia at T1, in turn, was associated with probable depression (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 2.31-3.06) and PTSD (OR = 2.57; 95% CI, 2.27-2.90) at T2. Recent combat experience did not moderate the associations of recent sexual trauma with insomnia or mental health outcomes.Insomnia contributes to risk of subsequent mental health conditions following trauma. The diagnosis and treatment of post-trauma insomnia should be prioritized to mitigate the development of posttraumatic mental health conditions.
Stigma for seeking psychological help for military sexual trauma is associated with more frequent suicidal ideation among women service members and veterans
APA Citation:
Blais, R. K., Cruz, R. A., Hoyt, T., & Monteith, L. L. (2023). Stigma for seeking psychological help for military sexual trauma is associated with more frequent suicidal ideation among women service members and veterans. Psychology of Violence, 13(3), 229–238. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000461
Focus:
Trauma
Mental health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research
Blais, Rebecca K.; Cruz, Rick A.; Hoyt, Tim; Monteith, Lindsey L.
2023
Objective: Risk for suicide is elevated among military sexual trauma (MST) survivors, for whom mental health conditions are also more prevalent. One factor that may contribute to suicide risk in this population is stigma, which may impede MST survivors from seeking health care for MST-related mental health concerns. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the potential role of MST-specific stigma in suicidal ideation. This study examined if different types of MST-related stigma were associated with suicidal ideation among women service members and veterans. Path analysis was used to examine self-stigma for seeking help for MST as a potential mechanism of the association between anticipated enacted stigma from unit leaders for seeking help for MST and suicidal ideation. Method: A convenience sample of 756 women service members and veterans completed measures of anticipated enacted stigma, self-stigma, and recent suicidal ideation frequency. Results: At the bivariate level, both forms of stigma were associated with suicidal ideation, with small-to-medium effects. The indirect effect of higher self-stigma on the association of higher anticipated enacted stigma and more frequent SI was significant. Self-stigma was more strongly associated with suicidal ideation than anticipated enacted stigma. Conclusions: Self-stigma may represent an important mechanism of the association between anticipated enacted stigma from unit leaders and suicidal ideation among women MST survivors, although longitudinal research is needed. Reducing self-stigma associated with help-seeking for MST may represent one avenue for reducing suicidal ideation among women MST survivors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
Women’s participation in the Jordanian Military and police: An exploration of perceptions and aspirations
APA Citation:
Maffey, K. R., & Smith, D. G. (2020). Women’s participation in the jordanian military and police: An exploration of perceptions and aspirations. Armed Forces & Society, 46(1), 46-67. https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X18806520
Focus:
Other
Branch of Service:
International Military
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research
Maffey, Katherine R.; Smith, David G.
2020
Cross-national research contends that women’s military participation has been associated with military function and organization, social structure, culture, and political factors. This exploratory study of Jordanian women suggests that these factors and their subcategories simultaneously help and hinder them. Using Segal’s updated model for women’s participation in the military, we explore how the meaning of Jordanian military women’s experiences compare in a cross-national theoretical framework. We review Segal’s updated model variables and compare it to interview data based on a grounded theory approach. Using semistructured interviews with a nonrandom sample of women who served in the Jordanian military or police, we place their experiences in a cross-national context and provide exploratory qualitative analysis of how these women navigated social and cultural norms. Our results showed that participants perceived their positive experiences and ability to achieve aspirations as enablers to their success, which they considered unlikely in the civilian workforce.
Depression symptoms as a potential mediator of the association between disordered eating symptoms and sexual function in women service members and veterans
APA Citation:
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
Focus:
Mental health
Physical health
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Army
Air Force
Navy
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Active Duty
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research & Summary
Livingston, Whitney S.; Fargo, Jamison D.; Blais, Rebecca K.
2022
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.
The mediation effects of adaptive blindness strategies on the relation between institutional betrayal from military sexual assault and mental health symptoms
APA Citation:
Davies, R. (2023). The mediation effects of adaptive blindness strategies on the relation between institutional betrayal from military sexual assault and mental health symptoms [Ph.D., Old Dominion University]. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2869376061/82F91409D1AD4C7APQ/1?accountid=8421
Focus:
Trauma
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Guard
Reserve
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Other
Davies, Rachel
2023
Military sexual assault is a serious and prevalent issue. The frequency with which military sexual assault occurs and the nature of the response to these events within the military system may contribute to institutional betrayal. Institutional betrayal is the failure of an institution, such as the military, to prevent sexual assault from occurring and/or the failure to support a survivor after sexual assault. Adaptive blindness strategies are forms of coping strategies that help individuals navigate a relationship they depend on when there is a betrayal. Two adaptive blindness strategies are self-blame and minimization. Although the adaptive blindness strategies may allow sexual assault survivors to navigate their experiences with sexual assault and institutional betrayal, it was predicted that both self-blame and minimization would be associated with more depressive symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Data were collected using an online survey of 153 female service members who endorsed military sexual assault. Self-blame had significant mediation effects on the relation between institutional betrayal for both depressive symptoms and PTSD symptoms suggesting it may act as an adaptive blindness strategy. In contrast, minimization did not mediate the association between institutional betrayal and mental health outcomes. In addition, variables that may possibly impact the utilization of adaptive blindness strategies, specifically, years served and unit support, were analyzed via moderation models. Years served in the military did not have significant moderation effects on the relation between institutional betrayal and the adaptive blindness strategies. Unit support did significantly moderate the association between institutional betrayal and minimization, specifically, more unit support was associated with increased minimization in response to institutional betrayal. Therefore, minimization may act as an adaptive blindness strategy under conditions of high unit support. These findings should be incorporated into our understanding of how women service members may respond to institutional betrayal regarding sexual assault thus informing Department of Defense’s policies and therapists’ conceptualization of women service members to provide culturally competent care. The findings also add support for the use of the betrayal trauma theory (Freyd, 1994) with the population of women service members.
11 Suicide in U.S. women veterans: An interpersonal theory perspective on suicide prevention policies
Suicide in U.S. women veterans: An interpersonal theory perspective on suicide prevention policies
APA Citation:
Schuman, D.L, Cerel, J., & Praetorius, R.T. Suicide in U.S. women veterans: An interpersonal theory perspective on suicide prevention policies. Social Work in Public Health, 34(5), 418-429. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2019.1616028
Focus:
Mental health
Veterans
Programming
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Active Duty
Share the article
Research
Schuman, Donna L.; Cerel, Julie; Praetorius, Regina T.
2019
Increases in suicide rates for U.S. women Service Members and Veterans have emerged as a public health issue of great concern. Women Veterans are more likely than their civilian counterparts to die by suicide, and rates of suicide for women Veterans are rising faster than rates for male Veterans. Given higher rates of suicide in combat-exposed males and increased rates of suicide associated with military deployment for women, the expansion of women into direct combat roles may further escalate their rates of suicide. The interpersonal theory of suicide provides a framework for the examination of women Veterans’ risk factors and how implementation of policy provisions can more effectively ameliorate suicide risk. Recent suicide prevention policy initiatives that target women Veterans’ unique needs are important steps; however, suicide prevention efforts should address specific risk factors contributing to thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and the acquired capability for suicide in Veteran women.
12 Women veterans after transition to civilian life: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Women veterans after transition to civilian life: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
APA Citation:
Boros, P., & Erolin, K. S. (2021). Women veterans after transition to civilian life: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy: An International Forum, 33(4), 330–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952833.2021.1887639
Focus:
Veterans
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Army
Air Force
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research
Boros, Paula; Erolin, Kara S.
2021
Women are important contributors in the United States military yet historically struggle for equality and equity. As women’s military service increases, literature has failed to keep up with the changes which affect women service members and veterans, especially civilian life transitions. Through a feminist framework, the current study explored the experiences of four women veterans who transitioned to civilian life utilizing interpretative phenomenological analysis to analyze semi-structured interviews. Connected by gender, seven superordinate themes emerged: family support, mandatory conformity, identity, service, gender inequality, symptoms, and opportunities. The findings indicated that military life and transition negatively impacted these women veterans’ mental, physical, and social well-being. In contribution to the gap in current literature, the authors discuss implications for research, clinicians, society, and the military.
Women veterans’ experiences of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual assault in the context of military service: implications for supporting women’s health and well-being
APA Citation:
Dichter, M. E., Wagner, C., True, G. (2018). Women veterans’ experiences of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual assault in the context of military service: Implications for supporting women’s health and well-being. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 33(6), 843-864. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260516669166
Focus:
Couples
Trauma
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Multiple branches
Navy
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research & Summary
Dichter, Melissa E.; Wagner, Clara; True, Gala
2018
Women who have served in the military in the United States experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner sexual assault (SA). The military setting presents challenges and opportunities not experienced in other employment contexts that may compound the negative impacts of IPV/SA on women’s lives. The purpose of this study was to explore the intersection of women’s experiences of IPV/SA and military service through analysis of women veterans’ narrative accounts. We conducted in-depth face-to-face qualitative interviews with 25 women veterans receiving primary care at a U.S. Veterans Affairs Medical Center. We draw upon Adler and Castro’s (2013) Military Occupational Mental Health Model to frame our understanding of the impact of IPV/SA as a stressor in the military cultural context and to inform efforts to prevent, and support women service members who have experienced, these forms of violence. Our findings highlight the impact of IPV/SA on women’s military careers, including options for entering and leaving military service, job performance, and opportunities for advancement. Women’s narratives also reveal ways in which the military context constrains their options for responding to and coping with experiences of IPV/SA. These findings have implications for prevention of, and response to, intimate partner or sexual violence experienced by women serving in the military and underscore the need for both military and civilian communities to recognize and address the negative impact of such violence on women service members before, during, and after military service.
When women veterans return: the role of postsecondary education in transition in their civilian lives
APA Citation:
Albright, D. L., Thomas, K. H., McDaniel, J., Fletcher, K. L., Godfrey, K., Bertram, J., & Angel, C. (2019). When women veterans return: The role of postsecondary education in transition in their civilian lives. Journal of American College Health, 67(5), 479-485. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1494599
Focus:
Mental health
Programming
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Aged (65 yrs & older)
Very old (85 yrs & older)
Share the article
Research & Summary
Albright, David Luther; Thomas, Kate Hendricks; McDaniel, Justin; Fletcher, Kari Lynne; Godfrey, Kelli; Bertram, Jessica; Angel, Caroline
2019
Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the current state of postsecondary educational settings’ outreach to military women who become students postservice. Participants: Data for the present cross-sectional study were obtained from the American College Health Association’s (ACHA) 2011–2014 National College Health Assessment II (NCHA). Methods: Demographic characteristics of the study sample were explored by calculating frequencies and percentages by military service status. Research questions were explored with Fisher’s exact test, maximum likelihood multiple logistic regression, as appropriate. Results: Women service member and veteran students received health information from their university/college less often than women students with no military experience on the following topics: alcohol and other drug use, depression and anxiety, sexual assault and relationship violence prevention, and stress reduction. Conclusions: The findings of this research identified clear gaps in service provision for women student veterans on college campuses and provided some possible models for intervention development.
15 Health profiles of military women and the impact of combat-related injury
Health profiles of military women and the impact of combat-related injury
APA Citation:
MacGregor, A. J., Zouris, J. M., Dougherty, A. L., & Dye, J. L. (2021). Health profiles of military women and the impact of combat-related injury. Women’s Health Issues, 31(4), 392–398. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2021.03.009
Focus:
Deployment
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Army
Air Force
Marine Corps
Navy
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research
MacGregor, Andrew J.; Zouris, James M.; Dougherty, Amber L.; Dye, Judy L.
2021
Purpose The role of women in the United States military is expanding. Women are now authorized to serve in all military occupations, including special operations and frontline combat units, which places them at increased risk of combat exposure and injury. Little is known regarding the impact of these injuries on the health of military women. Methods We conducted a retrospective matched cohort study of women service members who were injured during combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Injured women were individually matched to non-injured controls at a 1:4 ratio. Medical diagnostic codes were abstracted from outpatient encounters in electronic health records, and hierarchical clustering was conducted to identify clusters of diagnostic codes, termed “health profiles.” Conditional logistic regression was used to determine whether combat-related injury predicted membership in the profiles. Results The study sample included 590 injured women and 2360 non-injured controls. Cluster analysis identified six post-deployment health profiles: low morbidity, anxiety/headache, joint disorders, mixed musculoskeletal, pregnancy-related, and multimorbidity. Combat-related injury predicted membership in the anxiety/headache (odds ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.38–2.16) and multimorbidity (odds ratio, 3.43; 95% confidence interval, 2.65–4.43) profiles. Conclusions Combat-related injury is associated with adverse post-deployment health profiles among military women, and women with these profiles may experience increased health care burden. As future conflicts will likely see a greater number of women with combat exposure and injury, health outcomes research among military women is paramount for the purposes of medical planning and resource allocation.
“We really need this”: Trauma-informed yoga for veteran women with a history of military sexual trauma
APA Citation:
Braun, T. D., Uebelacker, L. A., Ward, M., Holzhauer, C. G., McCallister, K., & Abrantes, A. (2021). ““We really need this”: Trauma-informed yoga for veteran women with a history of military sexual trauma Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 59, 102729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2021.102729
Focus:
Trauma
Veterans
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research
Braun, Tosca D.; Uebelacker, Lisa A.; Ward, Mariana; Holzhauer, Cathryn Glanton; McCallister, Kelly; Abrantes, Ana
2021
Objectives Up to 70% of women service members in the United States report military sexual trauma (MST); many develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and co-occurring disorders. Trauma-informed yoga (TIY) is suggested to improve psychiatric symptoms and shown feasible and acceptable in emerging research, yet no work has evaluated TIY in MST survivors. The current quality improvement project aimed to examine TIY’s feasibility, acceptability, and perceived effects in the context of MST. Design Collective case series (N = 7) Setting New England Vet Center Interventions Extant TIY program (Mindful Yoga Therapy) adapted for Veteran women with MST in concurrent psychotherapy. Main outcome measures Attrition and attendance; qualitative exit interview; validated self-report measure of negative affect pre/post each yoga class, and symptom severity assessments and surveys before (T1; Time 1) and after the yoga program (T2; Time 2). Results Feasibility was demonstrated and women reported TIY was acceptable. In qualitative interviews, women reported improved symptom severity, diet, exercise, alcohol use, sleep, and pain; reduced medication use; and themes related to stress reduction, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Regarding quantitative change, results suggest acute reductions in negative affect following yoga sessions across participants, as well as improved affect dysregulation, shame, and mindfulness T1 to T2. Conclusions TIY is both feasible and acceptable to Veteran women MST survivors in one specific Vet Center, with perceived behavioral health benefits. Results suggest TIY may target psychosocial mechanisms implicated in health behavior change (stress reduction, mindfulness, affect regulation, shame). Formal research should be conducted to confirm these QI project results.
Interpersonal trauma and sexual function and satisfaction: The mediating role of negative affect among survivors of military sexual trauma
APA Citation:
Blais, K. R., Zalta, K. A., & Livingston, S. W. (2020). Interpersonal trauma and sexual function and satisfaction: The mediating role of negative affect among survivors of military sexual trauma. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (37)7-8, NP5517-NP5537 https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520957693
Focus:
Mental health
Trauma
Veterans
Couples
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Army
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research
Blais, Rebecca K.; Zalta, Alyson K.; Livingston, Whitney S.
2022
Healthy sexual function among women service members/veterans (SM/Vs) is associated with higher quality of life, lower incidence and severity of mental health diagnoses, higher relationship satisfaction, and less frequent suicidal ideation. Although trauma exposure has been established as a predictor of poor sexual function and satisfaction in women SM/Vs, no study to date has examined whether specific trauma types, such as military sexual trauma (MST), increase risk for sexual issues. Moreover, the possible mechanisms of this association have not been explored. The current study examined whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression symptom clusters mediated the association of trauma type and sexual function and satisfaction in 426 trauma-exposed women SM/Vs. Two hundred seventy participants (63.4%) identified MST as their index trauma. Path analyses demonstrated that MST was related to poorer sexual function and lower satisfaction relative to the other traumas (
18 Medications with potential for fetal risk prescribed to veterans
Medications with potential for fetal risk prescribed to veterans
APA Citation:
Copeland, L. A., Kinney, R. L., Kroll-Desrosiers, A. R., Shivakumar, G., & Mattocks, K. M. (2022). Medications with potential for fetal risk prescribed to veterans. Journal of Women’s Health, 31(10), 1450-1458. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2021.0529
Focus:
Parents
Physical health
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Research
Copeland, Laurel A.; Kinney, Rebecca L.; Kroll-Desrosiers, Aimee R.; Shivakumar, Geetha; Mattocks, Kristin M.
2022
Introduction: Women service members of the past 20 years experienced high rates of traumatizing events resulting in pharmacological treatment. Post-military lives may include having children. Typically, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients' pregnancies are managed outside the VHA. This study examined medication exposures during pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The Center for Maternal and Infant Outcomes Research in Translation (COMFORT) study collected primary survey data and linked secondary health care data from the VHA from 2015 to 2021. Medication fills and covariates were extracted for three 9-month periods: preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum. Multiple regression assessed factors associated with use during pregnancy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)/serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) or of non-recommended, potentially risky drugs, and of discontinuation of those medications from prepregnancy to pregnancy. Results: The cohort comprised 501 women—29% Black, 65% White, and 6% other races, of whom 63% had 50%–100% service-connected disability. During pregnancy, 36% had a pain-related disorder, 19% major depression, and 18% post-traumatic stress disorder. The median number of drug classes prescribed during pregnancy was 5. The use of SSRI/SNRI antidepressants dropped from 36% preconception to 26% during pregnancy including new starts; 15% discontinued SSRI/SNRI. Comorbidity predicted medication use. Depression predicted discontinuing SSRI/SNRI during pregnancy; no predictors of discontinuing potentially risky drugs were identified. Conclusions: Based on prescriptions filled within the VHA only—ignoring potential community-based fills—women veterans were prescribed numerous medications during pregnancy and discontinued antidepressants alarmingly. Veterans of childbearing potential should receive counseling about medication use before pregnancy occurs. Their non-VHA obstetricians and VHA providers should share information to optimize outcomes, reviewing medications as soon as pregnancy is detected as well as after pregnancy concludes.
Military Sexual Trauma
APA Citation:
Frey-Ho Fung, R. A., Larsen, S. E., & Gobin, R. L. (2022). Military sexual trauma. In Geffner, R., White, J. W., Hamberger, L. K., Rosenbaum, A., Vaughan-Eden, V., & Vieth, V. I. (Eds.), Handbook of interpersonal violence and abuse across the lifespan (pp. 4015-4034). Springer Link. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89999-2_194
Focus:
Veterans
Trauma
Mental health
Physical health
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Active Duty
Population:
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
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Book Chapter
Frey-Ho Fung, Rae Anne; Larsen, Sadie E.; Gobin, Robyn L.; Geffner, Robert; White, Jacquelyn W.; Hamberger, L. Kevin; Rosenbaum, Alan; Vaughan-Eden, Viola; Vieth, Victor I.
2022
Military sexual trauma (MST) is defined by the Department of Veterans Affairs as sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred during military service. In the last two decades, increasing awareness of the widespread occurrence of MST has been the catalyst for national conversation. Estimates suggest that approximately 16% of service members report MST and three times that many may experience harassment. The organizational climate and culture of the military has been perceived as tolerant of harassment, and prevalent harassment is associated with high rates of sexual assault. While many service members are resilient, the experience of MST is associated with posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as a variety of emotional, physical, and functional impairments. Much of the research has focused on women service members; however, there are important differences to consider when taking into account the experiences of male survivors or sexual and gender minorities. Several empirically based interventions have demonstrated efficacy among survivors of MST. Treatment in this population must be tailored to the presenting diagnosis, as well as address rape myths and isolation. In the last decade, the Department of Defense has begun implementing practices and policies aimed at preventing MST, as well as improving access to care following MST; however, rates of MST remain high.
20 Moral injury in women military members and veterans: What do we really know?
Moral injury in women military members and veterans: What do we really know?
APA Citation:
Weiss, M. A., Hawkins, L., & Yarvis, J. S. (2023). Moral injury in women military members and veterans: What do we really know? Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health, 9(4), 129-136. https://doi.org/10.3138/jmvfh-2022-0075
Focus:
Mental health
Trauma
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Share the article
Research
Weiss, Michelle A.; Hawkins, Lataya; Yarvis, Jeffrey Scott
2023
Moral injury describes and explains the biological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual wounds service members may develop when they are betrayed by leadership or act, fail to act, or bear witness to acts that are in direct conflict with their moral code. Very little research is focused on moral injury experienced by women service members and Veterans. A woman’s experience in the military is often vastly different than a man’s because they have a higher prevalence of military sexual trauma (the threat or experience of sexual assault or harassment). To date, little research has been conducted about how betrayal, military sexual trauma, and moral injury interact. This article attempts to decipher moral injury from other psychological and combat stress injuries and highlights the unique aspects of moral injury experienced by women combat Veterans.
1 A SALUTE TO OUR WOMEN SERVICE MEMBERS FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
Posted by Sherman, Haley
2 PERSPECTIVES OF SERVICE AMONG WOMEN SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS
Posted by Tidwell, Allison
