Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Among Male and Female Veterans in Southern California and Associated Physical and Psychological Health, and Risk Behavior Outcomes

Background & Purpose:  Sexual harassment and assault remain pervasive problems in the US military and experiences of military sexual trauma (MST) are reported by male and female veterans.  Previous research has indicated that experiences of MST may be related to subsequent physical and psychological health difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, and risky behaviors such as substance abuse.  The context of MST experiences, as well as the resulting impact on health and risk behaviors may be uniquely distinct between male and female victims, but research in this area is lacking.  The current study examines experiences of MST and associated physical health, psychological health, and risk behavior outcomes among male and female veterans living in Southern California, an area with one of the largest veteran populations in the country.  We aim to delineate important differences between male and female MST victims and implications for treatment and care.

Methods: Data for this study were obtained from two cross-sectional, needs assessment surveys conducted in 2014 among male and female veterans living in two counties in Southern California (n=2,583).  In each county, an extensive recruitment strategy was employed, including utilizing collaboration with national, state, county, and local organizations that work with veterans, to obtain a nonprobability sample.  The survey assessed veterans’ needs across various aspects of life (e.g. health, housing, and employment).  The current study utilized measures of MST, PTSD, depression, physical health symptoms, and risk behavior outcomes (i.e. hazardous drinking, taking unnecessary health or life risks, risking an STD, driving while intoxicated, and smoking tobacco), as well as demographic and military factors (e.g. era of service, number of deployments).  Demographic and military factors were assessed and compared among males and females with and without MST.  Binary logistic regression with odds ratios (ORs) was used to examine associations between MST and physical and psychological health, and risk behavior outcomes.

Results: Experiences of MST were reported by 9.3% of male and 64.8% of female veterans.  Among males, MST was significantly related to veterans’ age, race/ethnicity, and marital status; among females, MST was significantly related to era of service (pre- vs. post-9/11), marital status, and number of deployments.  Regression analyses indicated that after controlling for related military and demographic factors, MST experiences among male veterans were significantly associated with PTSD, depression, and physical health symptoms (ORs all >3.0), as well as all risk behavior outcomes (ORs 1.5 – 3.2) with the exception of hazardous drinking.  Among female veterans, MST was significantly associated with PTSD, depression, and physical health symptoms (ORs all >2.0), but was not significantly related to any risk behavior outcomes. 

Conclusions & Implications: Our findings demonstrate a high prevalence of MST among veterans in Southern California, particularly female veterans; as well as greater odds of psychological and physical health outcomes among veterans with MST.  Among male veterans, those with MST were also at greater odds of reporting risk behaviors.  Distinctions between male and female veterans with MST are critical, and can inform future strategies for treatment and care for MST victims.