Military sexual trauma during deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan: prevalence, readjustment, and gender differences

Violence Vict. 2012;27(4):487-99. doi: 10.1891/0886-6708.27.4.487.

Abstract

This study examines military sexual trauma (MST) in men and women deployed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A diverse sample of 470 (408 men and 62 women) completed anonymous self-report questionnaires. Seventy-seven reported MST: 51 (12.5%) men and 26 (42%) women. MST was significantly related to symptoms and readjustment and most strongly with intimacy problems. Of those with MST, 73% also reported exposure to war-related stressors. Gender differences revealed that women reported a higher prevalence of MST, but men were more likely to endorse MST with multiple war-related stressors. However, no gender differences were found on reports of symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or readjustment. Implications of these results are discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Afghan Campaign 2001-
  • Combat Disorders / diagnosis
  • Combat Disorders / epidemiology
  • Combat Disorders / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iraq War, 2003-2011
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Military Personnel / psychology
  • Military Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • Occupational Exposure
  • Prevalence
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Young Adult