Download or read book The Impact of Experiential Avoidance on the Relationships Among Military Sexual Trauma Excessive Behaviors and Health related Outcomes in Female Veterans written by Natalie Kate Nugent and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 120 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Military Sexual Trauma (MST) as defined in United States Public Law, refers to inappropriate sexual conduct, assault, or harassment experienced by a military servicemember during his or her course of active duty or active duty for training (38 U.S.C. ℗ʹ 1720D). MST has emerged as a distinct form of trauma, resulting in different and often more severe sequelae than other forms of civilian sexual assault and/or non-sexual trauma. This study sought to explore the potential moderating and mediating roles of experiential avoidance on the relationship between MST and health outcomes in an attempt to identify a unifying mechanism through which poor outcomes were more likely to emerge or become amplified. Participants included 65 female veterans seeking treatment through the women's health clinic located within the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System (VAAAHS). Eligible participants completed a series of questionnaires assessing for the presence of trauma exposure, including MST, experiential avoidance, and potential outcomes such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, physical health concerns, and engagement in excessive/problem behaviors. Within this sample, 29.2% of respondents endorsed exposure to MST. Subsequent mediation and moderation analyses were computed and it was determined that experiential avoidance partially mediated the relationship between MST exposure and PTSD symptomatology. Furthermore, levels of experiential avoidance, PTSD, anxiety, and physical health concerns varied as a result of trauma exposure type (i.e., MST, civilian sexual assault/childhood sexual abuse, or non-sexual trauma). These findings support the hypothesis that MST exposure is associated with poorer post-trauma functioning across a variety of symptoms measures. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the presence of experiential avoidance may impact post-trauma functionality. Implications for the treatment of MST are discussed.
Download or read book Treating Military Sexual Trauma written by Lori S. Katz and published by Springer Publishing Company. This book was released on 2015-07-20 with total page 325 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The incidence of sexual assault and harassment experienced by members of the US Armed forces has reached epidemic proportions. Its victims often suffer from devastating, life-long consequences to their careers, health, relationships, and psychological wellbeing. This authoritative resource is written for mental health clinicians about understanding and treating military sexual trauma (MST). With contributions from top experts in the field, this book presents information on evidence-based and emerging treatments to address the complex symptoms related to MST. This text provides a solid foundation for clinicians who work with veterans and active duty military personnel and discusses how to address the unique challenges of treating MST in their clients.
Download or read book The Impact of Military Sexual Trauma on Opioid Use Disorder and Related Outcomes in Men and Women Veterans written by Kerry Low Beckman and published by . This book was released on 2021 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This dissertation research included three primary aims related to military sexual trauma (MST) and opioid use disorder (OUD) among U.S. Veterans enrolled in Veterans Health Administration (VA) care. Specifically, aims were to (1) assess the relationship between MST and OUD, (2) assess the relationship between MST and treatment for OUD among Veterans who have an OUD diagnosis, and (3) evaluate the potential role of chronic pain as a mediator in the relationship between MST and OUD, as chronic pain is a common diagnosis in sexual trauma survivors and is a major cause of opioid use. Because gender plays a critical role in how a Veteran reacts to and copes with MST, the differential role of gender was assessed in all three aims. Data were derived from VA administrative data from fiscal years 2009-2017. Analyses included multivariable logistic regression in Aims 1 and 3, and multi-level logistic regression models to account for the facility-level factors that impact opioid prescribing and OUD treatment access in Aim 2. This research can be used to inform care planning and recommendations for Veterans who are survivors of MST that is sensitive to gender-related concerns, chronic pain diagnoses, and OUD risk. It also informs barriers to receipt of effective OUD treatment and care coordination at VA facilities for these high-risk patients.
Download or read book Military Sexual Trauma Among Female Veterans written by Maria Acevedo (Graduate student) and published by . This book was released on 2022 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Despite the implementation of the universal screener by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to identify military sexual trauma (MST) many female veterans continue to experience sexual assaults. To better understand where the disparity exists, a literature review was conducted to review studies that discuss and provide information on the mental and physical health risks and outcomes of MST among female veterans. Four electronic databases were searched using the key words: military, veteran, MST, cognitive processing therapy studies, females, military sexual trauma, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual violence, military culture, treatment, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cultural Spillover Theory, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Depressive Disorder (DD) and Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD). Of the 1,079 documents found, 16 studies met inclusion criteria. The majority examined CPT as a successful method of intervention and treatment for veterans who had experienced PTSD, depression, and SUD linked to MST. Limitations were present as a few studies offered a larger sample size contributing to generalization of the study. Findings have implications for social workers who may provide counseling for veterans as they may lack specific military education and the knowledge on how to address veteran related issues.
Download or read book Military Sexual Trauma Current Knowledge and Future Directions written by Carolyn Allard and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2014-06-11 with total page 146 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Military Sexual Trauma: Current Knowledge and Future Directions showcases the work of several prominent military sexual trauma (MST) researchers, scholars, and clinicians from across the United States. A review of existing research and original empirical findings converge to indicate that MST contributes to a range of physical health problems, complex posttraumatic responses, and other mental health consequences above and beyond the effects of other types of traumatic experiences. This collection also presents evidence suggesting that MST is often difficult to identify both within the individual military member and within the military population as a whole. Recommendations are offered for addressing this problem. In addition to the research review and empirical findings, an evolutionary framework for understanding sexual assault of women in the military is presented. Taken together, this collection of works may inform MST intervention and prevention efforts. This book was originally published as a special issue of Journal of Trauma & Dissociation.
Download or read book Relationships Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Attachment Self blame and Social Support Among Women Veterans with a History of Childhood And or Military Sexual Trauma written by Samuel E. Park and published by . This book was released on 2013 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Abstract: The present study examined the relationships between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity, trauma-related self-blame, perceived social support, and attachment among women veterans with a history of childhood trauma and/or military sexual trauma (MST), using self-reported inventories. Adult attachment was measured with the Relationship Scales Questionnaire, PTSD symptom severity with the PTSD Checklist - Civilian version, trauma-related self-blame with the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory, perceived social support with the Kessler's Perceived Social Support scale, and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 was used to assess general psychological maladjustment. Extending results from previous studies on PTSD, the positive relationships between PTSD symptom severity and attachment-related avoidance, as well as with trauma-related self-blame were found among women veterans with prior trauma history. //p// There were non-significant relationships between a history of childhood trauma and trauma-related self-blame, perceived social support, PTSD symptom severity, and attachment-related anxiety and attachment-related avoidance. However, MST was positively related to PTSD symptom severity, trauma-related self-blame and attachment-related anxiety. Attachment-related avoidance better predicted PTSD symptom severity, and was significantly associated with a decreased perceived social support. //p// Mean scores on the two dimensions of attachment studied did not significantly differ among women veterans with histories of childhood trauma and MST, a history of childhood trauma, or a history of MST. The two dimensions of attachment also did not differentially affect treatment, as measured by pre- to post-treatment changes in symptomatology. Twelve weeks of multimodality treatment significantly shifted self-reported attachment scores of women veterans with a history of trauma towards attachment security. Furthermore, trauma-related self-blame fully mediated the negative relationship between attachment-related anxiety and perceived social support after treatment, a relationship that did not exist prior to treatment. Results also indicated potential restoration of the protective effect of perceived social support on PTSD symptomatology discussed in PTSD research for women veterans with a higher score on attachment-related avoidance post-treatment. Treatment recommendations for women veterans with a history of childhood and/or MST are discussed.
Download or read book Returning Home from Iraq and Afghanistan written by Institute of Medicine and published by National Academies Press. This book was released on 2010-03-31 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nearly 1.9 million U.S. troops have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq since October 2001. Many service members and veterans face serious challenges in readjusting to normal life after returning home. This initial book presents findings on the most critical challenges, and lays out the blueprint for the second phase of the study to determine how best to meet the needs of returning troops and their families.
Download or read book Correlates of Sexual Dysfunction Problems and Sexual Satisfaction Among Veterans who Have Experienced Military Sexual Trauma written by Jade Garneau-Fournier and published by . This book was released on 2015 with total page 434 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Between 36% and 74% of male veterans and 22-84% of female veterans have been sexually victimized during their military service. Although the detrimental physical and psychological consequences of military sexual trauma (MST) have been well established, little research has been conducted on sexual health in veterans who have experienced MST. The purpose of this study was to determine which demographic variables, physical health factors, mental health factors, and traumatic experiences are associated with the presence of sexual dysfunction (SD) problems, different types of SD problems, and lower levels of sexual satisfaction among veterans who have experienced MST. A nationwide sample of 2,181 male and female veterans who screened positive for MST and used Veterans Health Administration care over the past 12 months was recruited. At least one SD problem was endorsed by 81.6% of male and 74.6% of female veterans. Only 21.3% of male and 36.4% of female veterans reported being either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their sex life. Binomial and ordinal logistic regressions were used to examine the variables that were most strongly be related to SD problems and sexual satisfaction respectively. All analyses were stratified by gender. Men who reported SD problems were more likely to be married/unmarried with a committed partner/divorced/separated compared to never married, be in poor health, and use an SSRI/Effexor. In addition to reporting similar results as men regarding relationship status, overall health ratings, and use of antidepressant medication, women with SD problems were also more likely to experience symptoms of depression and PTSD. Male veterans who reported a higher level of sexual satisfaction were more likely to be married or living with a committed partner compared as opposed to being divorced/separated/widowed /never married; to report being in good health; and to deny both depressive and PTSD symptoms as well as use of an SSRI/Effexor. Among female veterans, these variables were also related to a higher level of sexual satisfaction along with younger age, absence of substance use disorder symptoms, and no history of childhood sexual abuse. These findings both further our awareness of the extent of sexual health problems in veterans who have experienced MST and also highlight the importance of providing sexual health assessment, education, and treatment to this population.
Download or read book Safety for Survivors written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Health and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 102 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Silence Is Violence written by Heidi Lobstein and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2018-12-29 with total page 355 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reporting of incidents of sexual assault in the military has increased dramatically over the past ten years, with 6131 reported in 2014, up from 1700 incidents reported in 2004. Data on veterans shows about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 100 men report that they had experienced Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Existing research indicates that MST has been associated with increased screening rates of depression and alcohol abuse, in addition to significantly increased odds of meeting criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition, MST has been associated with reporting increased number of current physical symptoms, impaired health status, and more chronic health problems in veterans. MST is an unrecognized epidemic, not talked about, yet having an impact on the health of our veterans today. It took me 37,287 words to describe the impact of sexual trauma in the military has had on my life. It has taken me over 30 years to come to terms with my experience where I can now write about it and speak about it. I want to educate people about rape in the military. Perhaps I will be able to help others by sharing my experience. To keep silent just perpetuates the violence and reinforces the culture of rape that has been accepted in the military. As a young girl in my twenties I entered the United States Air Force in 1987 for their post nursing school internship program to develop my nursing skills. Despite the horrific trauma, I went through I survived and graduated the nursing internship program, but the cost would be tremendous. The experience of being gang raped changed me in ways I couldn't articulate until recently. I grew up in Indiana and went to nursing school at Purdue University. My brother Darwin and I called it "Undue Perversity!" I went into the Air Force directly after nursing school. Since my military days, I have worked as a Psychiatric Nurse. I have experienced both sides of being on a psychiatric unit. I have been a patient suffering from PTSD after MST and I have taken care of psychiatric patients. I was working at the Veteran's Administration with patients, some of whom have had MST. My insight and perspective in this book will be helpful to both practitioners helping veterans and to other veterans suffering from sexual trauma as well.
Download or read book Understanding and Treating Military Sexual Trauma written by Kristen Zaleski and published by Springer. This book was released on 2018-05-02 with total page 175 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This authoritative update presents current findings on—and clinically and ethically sound responses to—the epidemic of sexual assault in the military. It examines in powerful detail how military culture enables a pervasive subculture of sexual violence, from consistently devaluing women to blaming victims and denying them justice. The author’s dual attachment/trauma theory lens attends to a wide range of outcomes such as unit members closing ranks against survivors and the continuing impact of assault trauma on veterans’ lives. And the book’s second half critiques standard forms of treating military sexual trauma in favor of individualized therapy addressing the physical, psychological, and neurological aspects of trauma and recovery. This important volume covers: · Theory and history of sexual violence as a weapon of war. · Legal and health considerations in the aftermath of military sexual assault. · Critical distinctions between military and civilian legal response to sexual assault. · Variations in symptomology among survivors. · Specific barriers to services for male and LGBT survivors. · New and emerging treatment options for military sexual trauma/PTSD. This Second Edition of Understanding and Treating Military Sexual Trauma follows its predecessor as an essential reference on its subject for mental health clinicians treating sexual trauma in the military as well as trauma researchers, sociologists, women’s health practitioners, and university students whose focus is women’s studies, public policy, public health, social work, psychology, sociology, or political science.
Download or read book Perceptions of Female Veteran Military Sexual Trauma a Phenomenological Study written by Lindsey Fairweather and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Military sexual trauma (MST) occurs at devastating rates to service members, by service members, and is widely misunderstood, qualitatively understudied, and reporting may be procedurally biased. The purpose of this study was to phenomenologically explore the lived experiences of female veteran MST survivors with their leadership (chain of command/supervisors) and understand how military culture effects these individuals. A feminist-theory conceptual framework was applied to contextualize hegemonic hypermasculine military culture and the divide and damage it may cause to female service members before MST, when surviving an MST event, and when surviving post-MST fallout. This study included 10 participants who were female, experienced MST, and served in the military for at least 90 days. Through qualitative inquiry, participants were interviewed by telephone between July 2019 and September 2019. Each interview was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Data showed participants who did not report their MST to their leadership failed to do so due to fear of reprisal in situations ranging from being threatened with maltreatment to retaliation/reprisal, the supervisor being the perpetrator, and ostracism. Those who did report their MST had negative experiences, including victim blaming by their leadership, shaming, taking no action, betrayal, retaliation, and ostracism. Participants tolerated sexual harassment as the norm or, as one participant noted, "My other duty station, it was great. There was sexual harassment, but again, it's not as bad as the other thing." Military culture post-MST included a lack of support/mental health counseling, having to pretend it did not happen and continue to work (and live) with the perpetrator, often as their supervisor, and perpetrators with no consequences. Participants reported effects of MST including suicide attempts, dissociation, depression, anxiety, trust and relational issues, emotion and mood dysregulation, substance abuse, low self-worth, social isolation, intense fear, health problems, loss of career and employment potential, avoidance, and intense shame. Female service members face extreme difficulty with reporting MST, that may be exacerbated by policy and military culture, forming a procedurally flawed and damaging system. Several recommendations are presented for future practice and research.
Download or read book Military Sexual Trauma in Female Veterans Psychoeducation and Treatment Approaches written by Jeanne Spence and published by . This book was released on 2017 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This informative guide was created to help civilian therapists, interns and trainees work with military personal, specifically with female veterans who are survivors of a Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and present with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). When becoming a therapist, cultural awareness is always important. When working with military or veteran clients, learning about military culture is equally important. Some military personal, active duty and/or veterans prefer a military therapist because they perceive he or she understands the culture and the language and will save the client hours trying to explain military life. This guide will provide civilians with psychoeducation on sexual assaults in the military; how common they are, how often they go unreported, and why. It will also explain how the military culture can both amplify the psychological impact of a sexual assault and impede the recovery process. Finally, this guide will outline the negative ramifications of MST and PTSD in female veterans, such as avoidance and substance problems, and enumerate multiple treatment options. Some are evidence based, some are not; however, all are described in this manual.
Download or read book Military Sexual Trauma Exposure and Heart Rate Variability Outcomes in Female Veterans written by Elizabeth Ann Davis Lee and published by . This book was released on 2011 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Sexual Harassment in the VA Workplace and VA Health Care for Women Veterans written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and published by . This book was released on 1993 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Relational Impact of Military Sexual Trauma on Women written by Ayana A. Walls and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Military Sexual Trauma is a hostile, toxic, and hazardous workplace threat that breaks down trust and safety of service members. Incidents of MST have steadily risen despite government initiatives to increase awareness, safety, strategies, and support. This literature review aimed to understand the relational impact of Military Sexual Trauma on women through the lens of Object Relations Theory. After careful analysis, 55 articles and books were selected to formulate this systematic literature review. Overall, the literature supported detrimental mental and medical health outcomes for survivors of Military Sexual Trauma. Moreover, the literature provided inferences toward correlations between Military Sexual Trauma and relational impact. When viewed through the lens of Object Relations Theory, negative post trauma cognitions may degrade women’s ability to maintain a healthy relationship with self and establish healthy connections to others.
Download or read book The End of Trauma written by George A. Bonanno and published by Basic Books. This book was released on 2021-09-07 with total page 282 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: With “groundbreaking research on the psychology of resilience” (Adam Grant), a top expert on human trauma argues that we vastly overestimate how common PTSD is in and fail to recognize how resilient people really are. After 9/11, mental health professionals flocked to New York to handle what everyone assumed would be a flood of trauma cases. Oddly, the flood never came. In The End of Trauma, pioneering psychologist George A. Bonanno argues that we failed to predict the psychological response to 9/11 because most of what we understand about trauma is wrong. For starters, it’s not nearly as common as we think. In fact, people are overwhelmingly resilient to adversity. What we often interpret as PTSD are signs of a natural process of learning how to deal with a specific situation. We can cope far more effectively if we understand how this process works. Drawing on four decades of research, Bonanno explains what makes us resilient, why we sometimes aren’t, and how we can better handle traumatic stress. Hopeful and humane, The End of Trauma overturns everything we thought we knew about how people respond to hardship.
