Male-to-female sexual aggression among Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam veterans: co-occurring substance abuse and intimate partner aggression

J Trauma Stress. 2009 Aug;22(4):307-11. doi: 10.1002/jts.20422.

Abstract

The current study examined the frequency and correlates of coercive sexual behaviors by male Iraq, Afghanistan, and/or Vietnam veterans recruited from a Veterans Affairs trauma recovery clinic (n = 92) toward their female partners. Men who reported sexual aggression in the past year (n = 37) compared to men who did not report sexual aggression in the past year (n = 55) more frequently reported impulsive aggression, dominating/isolating, and physically assaulting their partner, and were more likely to have a substance abuse diagnosis. Sexually aggressive men were significantly less likely than nonsexually aggressive men to have a diagnosis of depression. Posttraumatic stress disorder, an established risk factor for nonsexual partner aggression among veterans, was not associated with sexual aggression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Afghan Campaign 2001-*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011*
  • Male
  • Sex Offenses* / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual Partners*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vietnam Conflict*