Military-related sexual trauma among Veterans Health Administration patients returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
We examined military-related sexual trauma among deployed Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans. Of 125 729 veterans who received Veterans Health Administration primary care or mental health services, 15.1% of the women and 0.7% of the men reported military sexual trauma when screened. Military sexual trauma was associated with increased odds of a mental disorder diagnosis, including posttraumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorders, depression, and substance use disorders. Sexual trauma is an important postdeployment mental health issue in this population.
Kimerling
Rachel
R
National Center for PTSD, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. rachel.kimerling@va.gov
Street
Amy E
AE
Pavao
Joanne
J
Smith
Mark W
MW
Cronkite
Ruth C
RC
Holmes
Tyson H
TH
Frayne
Susan M
SM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003130:Combat Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014728:Veterans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014729:Veterans Disability Claims