Lifetime sexual and physical victimization among male veterans with combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder.
Because of the high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veteran men and the limited research on victimization in this group, we recruited 133 male veterans with combat-related PTSD from a psychiatric inpatient unit and assessed them for lifetime physical and sexual trauma. Results indicated that 96% of the sample had experienced some form of victimization over their lifetimes; 60% reported childhood physical abuse, 41% childhood sexual abuse, 93% adulthood physical assault, and 20% adulthood sexual assault. In the preceding year alone, 46% experienced either physical or sexual assault. These findings support the need for routine inquiry into the histories of noncombat victimization in this cohort. Determining the lifetime history of trauma exposure may have implications for vulnerability to subsequent development of PTSD and the risk of future violence.
Lapp
Kathleen G
KG
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
Bosworth
Hayden B
HB
Strauss
Jennifer L
JL
Stechuchak
Karen M
KM
Horner
Ron D
RD
Calhoun
Patrick S
PS
Meador
Keith G
KG
Lipper
Steven
S
Butterfield
Marian I
MI
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*