The impact of military trauma exposures on servicewomen's pregnancy outcomes: A scoping review
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Manzo, L. L., Dindinger, R. A., Batten, J., Combellick, J. L., & Basile-Ibrahim, B. (2024). The impact of military trauma exposures on servicewomen’s pregnancy outcomes: A scoping review. Journal of Midwifery & Women’s Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13620
Abstract Created by REACH:
This scoping review summarized a decade of research on the impact of militaryrelated trauma exposure on pregnancy outcomes (e.g., pre- and postpartum emotional difficulties, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and low birth weight) among active-duty Servicewomen and Veteran women. Combat experiences (i.e., deployment, combat exposure), military sexual trauma (MST), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were assessed across the 16 studies included in this review. In general, combat experiences, MST, and PTSD symptom severity all contributed to an increased risk for various adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Focus:
Mental health
Physical health
Parents
Trauma
Veterans
Other
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Active Duty
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Active duty service member
Military families
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Review of Literature
Authors:
Manzo, Laura L., Dindinger, Rebeccah A., Batten, Janene, Combellick, Joan L., Basile-Ibrahim, Bridget
Abstract:
Introduction Active-duty servicewomen and veterans make up nearly 20% of the United States military and may experience trauma specific to military service. Military-specific trauma includes combat deployment and military sexual trauma, exposure to which may result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of this scoping review is to examine the extent to which military trauma exposures impact the pregnancy outcomes of active-duty servicewomen and women veterans. Methods A systematic search of OVID MEDLINE, OVID Embase, and OVID PsycINFO from inception to September 25, 2023, identified studies examining associations between military trauma exposures and perinatal outcomes. Of the 614 studies identified, 464 were reviewed for relevance, with 16 meeting inclusion criteria. Results Of the 16 included studies, 14 found associations between military trauma exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm birth, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, low birth weight, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes increased with the severity of PTSD, the recency of combat deployment, and repetitive deployment. Discussion This scoping review strengthens the link between trauma exposures and adverse pregnancy outcomes for current and former military servicewomen. A gap in the literature persists regarding trauma exposure among active-duty servicewomen, which differs significantly from women veterans. As mental health conditions are the leading underlying cause of maternal mortality, standardized screening during the perinatal period for military-specific trauma exposures and PTSD is recommended for this population. Black servicewomen of junior enlisted rank carry disproportionate burdens of PTSD diagnosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Comprehensive prenatal and postpartum management may improve perinatal and neonatal outcomes for military servicewomen and provide an innovative approach to reducing existing racial disparities.
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
servicewomen, pregnancy outcomes, military-specific trauma
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: