NCJ Number
224930
Journal
Trauma, Violence, & Abuse: A Review Journal Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: October 2008 Pages: 250-269
Date Published
October 2008
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this article is to review the literature documenting the prevalence of military sexual trauma (MST) and its’ associated mental and physical health consequences.
Abstract
Highlights of key points of the research review in the areas of risk factors for military sexual trauma (MST), prevalence of MST, associated mental health consequences, and associated physical health consequences include: (1) almost 50 percent of women in one sample reported escaping their home environment as reason for entering the military; (2) those veterans with childhood sexual assault histories have been found to be more likely to be raped as an adult; (3) 4 to 71 percent prevalence rate using in-person, face-to-face interviews; (4) prevalence rates vary depending on method of assessment; (5) differential prevalence rates vary depending on definition of MST used; (6) an increased number of psychological symptoms has been associated with MST; (7) women veterans with MST histories has been found to be nine times more likely to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to women with no sexual assault histories; (8) MST has been associated with reporting increased number of current physical symptoms, impaired health status, and more chronic health problems; and (9) MST has been associated with an increased number of cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, smoking, and sedentary lifestyles. Even though research involving the investigation of MST is still in its infancy, MST has been of concern to organizations such as the U.S. Department of Defense since the 1990s. This article is a review of the available psychological literature on MST using PsychLit, MedLine, and Ovid databases. Articles that included prevalence rates of sexual assault that occurred during active duty were reviewed, with particular focus on those that examined associated psychological and medical consequences and risk factors of MST. Tables and references