Childhood exposure to family violence and attrition in the Navy.
In a prospective study of U.S. Navy recruits (n = 5,491), we examined the relationship between childhood exposure to family violence (child physical abuse, child sexual abuse [CSA], and domestic violence) and attrition. Overall, 55% of recruits experienced one or more forms of childhood family violence and 34% of recruits attrited within 4 years after enlistment. Considered separately, each form of childhood violence was significantly associated with attrition. When considered simultaneously, all three types of childhood violence were associated with attrition in men, but only CSA was associated with attrition in women. Men and women who experienced all three types of childhood violence were 303% and 139%, respectively, more likely to attrite than recruits who reported no childhood violence. In analyses examining the timing of attrition, CSA was associated with early attrition, whereas child physical abuse and domestic violence were unrelated to timing of attrition.
Behavioral Science and Epidemiology Department, P.O. Box 85122, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92186-5122, USA.
Lex L
LL
Merrill
Valerie A
VA
Stander
Cynthia J
CJ
Thomsen
Julie L
JL
Crouch
Joel S
JS
Milner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology