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% reported MST perpetrated by a member of their unit. Results indicated
veterans who reported MST were younger, less likely to be currently
married, more likely to be diagnosed with a mood disorder, and more likely to have experienced non-MST sexual abuse either as
children or adults.
Analyses revealed that MST was negatively
associated with postdeployment social support and positively associated
with postdeployment perceived emotional mistreatment, but was not
associated with postdeployment loss of romantic relationship, job
loss, or unemployment 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
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By:
- 1Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.
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