Mental Health

Citation:

Hobfoll, Stevan. E., and Perry London. 1986. "The Relationship of Self-Concept and Social Support to Emotional Distress among Women during War." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 4 (2): 189-203.

Authors: Stevan E. Hobfoll, Perry London

Abstract:

Few studies have examined immediate stress resistance during massive crisis. In this paper, 56 Israeli women whose loved ones were mobilized into the Israeli Defence Forces were evaluated as to their coping resources and psychological distress during the first week of the June 1982 Israel-Lebanon conflict. Coping traits (self-esteem and mastery) were negatively related to psychological distress (state anxiety and state depression). These internal coping traits were seen as immediately available to individuals, despite the suddenness of the event. Contrary to predictions, social support was related to greater psychological distress. The unexpected findings for social support are attributed to a "pressure-cooker" effect, whereby war rumors were spread rapidly and women with more intimate relationships were more exposed to the sorrows of others. Alternatively, social support may have been adversive to women with high self-esteem who chose to master life challenges independently. The importance of studying immediate resistance to massive stressors is discussed.

Keywords: anxiety, depression, mental health

Topics: Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Militaries Regions: MENA, Asia, Middle East Countries: Israel

Year: 1986

Citation:

Haskell, Sally G., Kirsha S. Gordon, Dristen Mattocks, Mona Duggal, Joseph Erdos, Amy Justice, and Cynthia A. Brandt. 2010. "Gender Differences in Rates of Depression, PTSD, Pain, Obesity, and Military Sexual Trauma among Connecticut War Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan." Journal of Women's Health 19 (2): 267-271.

Authors: Sally G. Haskell, Kirsha S. Gordon, Dristen Mattocks, Mona Duggal, Joseph Erdos, Amy Justice, Cynthia A. Brandt

Abstract:

Purpose: The current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have led to an increasing number of female veterans seeking medical and mental healthcare in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. To better understand gender differences in healthcare needs among recently returned veterans, we examined the prevalence of positive screenings for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma ( MST), obesity, and chronic pain among female and male veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom=Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF=OIF) receiving care at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional data analysis of OEF=OIF veterans at VA Connecticut who received services in either Primary Care or the Women’s Health Clinic between 2001 and 2006. 

Results: In this study, 1129 electronic medical records (1032 men, 197 women) were examined. Female veterans were more likely to screen positive for MST (14% vs. 1%, p < 0.001) and depression (48% vs. 39%, p ¼ 0.01) and less likely to screen positive for PTSD (21% vs. 33%, p ¼ 0.002). There was no significant gender difference in clinically significant pain scores. Men were more likely than women to have body mass index (BMI) >30 kg=m² (21% vs. 13%, p ¼ 0.008).

Conclusions: These results suggest that important gender differences exist in the prevalence of positive screenings for MST, depression, obesity, and PTSD. As the VA continues to review and improve its services for women veterans, clinicians, researchers, and senior leaders should consider innovative ways to ensure that female veterans receive the health services they need within the VA system.

Keywords: depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, obesity, military sexual assault, female veterans, male veterans

Topics: Armed Conflict, Combatants, Female Combatants, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Sexual Violence Regions: MENA, Americas, North America, Asia, Middle East, South Asia Countries: Afghanistan, Iraq, United States of America

Year: 2010

Citation:

Hankin, Cheryl S., Katherine Skinner, Lisa M. Sullivan, Donald R. Miller, Susan Frayne, and Tara J. Tripp. 1999. "Prevalence of Depressive and Alcohol Abuse Symptoms among Women VA Outpatients Who Report Experiencing Sexual Assault While in the Military." Journal of Traumatic Stress 12 (4): 601-612.

Authors: Cheryl S. Hankin, Katherine Skinner, Lisa M. Sullivan, Donald R. Miller, Susan Frayne, Tara J. Tripp

Abstract:

Among a national sample of 3,632 women VA outpatients, we determined self-reported prevalence of sexual assault experienced during military service and compared screening prevalence for current symptoms of depression and alcohol abuse between those who did and did not report this history. Data were obtained by mailed questionnaire. Military-related sexual assault was reported by 23%. Screening prevalence for symptoms of current depression was 3 times higher and for current alcohol abuse was 2 times higher among those who reported experiencing military-related sexual assault. Recent mental health treatment was reported by 50% of those who reported experiencing sexual assault during military service and screened positive for symptoms of depression, and by 40% of those who screened positive for symptoms of alcohol abuse.

Keywords: depression, substance abuse, female veterans, military sexual assault

Topics: Combatants, Female Combatants, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Sexual Violence, SV against Men Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 1999

Citation:

Halcón, Linda. L., Cheryl L. Robertson, and Karen A. Monsen. 2010. "Evaluating Health Realization for Coping Among Refugee Women." Journal of Loss and Trauma 15 (5): 408-425.

Authors: Linda L. Halcón, Cheryl L. Robertson, Karen A. Monsen

Abstract:

Many East African refugee women have experienced torture and trauma while fleeing from their home countries. Many also experience high rates of isolation, depression, and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder after resettlement. Effective methods are needed for improving the mental well-being of this population. This pilot study (N = 19) tested the feasibility, accessibility, and acceptability of a strengths-based, community-delivered intervention with Somali and Ethiopian women refugees. Feasibility was established through recruitment, retention, participation, and participant response. Accessibility was established through providing meals, transportation, and child-care assistance. Acceptability was established through evaluating translated materials, cultural congruence, and perceived relevance. Results support testing in a full-scale controlled study.

Keywords: mental health, female refugees, posttraumatic stress disorder, trauma, Torture

Topics: Displacement & Migration, Refugees, Refugee/IDP Camps, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma Regions: Africa, East Africa Countries: Ethiopia, Somalia

Year: 2010

Citation:

Hagengimana, Athanase, Devon Hinton, Bruce Bird, Mark Pollack, and Roger K. Pitman. 2003. "Somatic Panic-Attack Equivalents in a Community Sample of Rwandan Widows Who Survived the 1994 Genocide." Psychiatric Research 117 (1): 1-9.

Authors: Athanase Hagengimana, Devon Hinton, Bruce Bird, Mark Pollack, Roger K. Pitman

Abstract:

The present study is the first to attempt to determine rates of panic attacks, especially ‘somatically focused’ panic attacks, panic disorder, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression levels in a population of Rwandans traumatized by the 1994 genocide. The following measures were utilized: the Rwandan Panic-Disorder Survey (RPDS); the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ); and the PTSD Checklist (PCL). Forty of 100 Rwandan widows suffered somatically focused panic attacks during the previous 4 weeks. Thirty-five (87%) of those having panic attacks suffered panic disorder, making the rate of panic disorder for the entire sample 35%. Rwandan widows with panic attacks had greater psychopathology on all measures. Somatically focused panic-attack subtypes seem to constitute a key response to trauma in the Rwandan population. Future studies of traumatized non-Western populations should carefully assess not only somatoform disorder but also somatically focused panic attacks.

Keywords: widows, genocide, mental health, trauma, depression

Topics: Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma Regions: Africa, Central Africa, East Africa Countries: Rwanda

Year: 2003

Citation:

Grossman, Linda S., Janet K. Willer, Jeffrey G. Stovall, Sandra G. McRae, Sarz Maxwell, and Rebecca Nelson. 1997. "Underdiagnosis of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders in Hospitalized Female Veterans." Psychiatric Services 48 (3): 393-95.

Authors: Linda S. Grossman, Janet K. Willer, Jeffrey G. Stovall, Sandra G. McRae, Sarz Maxwell, Rebecca Nelson

Abstract:

Discharge diagnoses of 31 female veterans and 31 male veterans hospitalized at a large urban VA medical center were examined to elucidate possible biases in clinicians' diagnostic practices. Only one woman in the sample was diagnosed as having posttraumatic stress disorder, compared with seven men. All men given this diagnosis were combat veterans. Although about half of each group had a drug-positive urine screen on admission, only 11 women received a diagnosis of a substance use disorder, compared with 24 men. VA clinicians may need further training and experience assessing the presentation of PTSD and substance use disorders in women.

Topics: Combatants, Female Combatants, Male Combatants, Gender, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Militaries Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 1997

Citation:

Fox, P.G., J.M. Cowell, A.C. Montgomery, and M.A. Willgerodt. 1998. "Southeast Asian Refugee Women and Depression: A Nursing Intervention." The International Journal of Psychiatric Nursing Research 4 (1): 423-32.

Authors: P.G. Fox, J.M. Cowell, A.C. Montgomery, M.A. Willgerodt

Abstract:

Globally, conflicts continue to result in large numbers of refugees and displaced persons, the majority are women. At present, there is scant literature on the mental health status of refugee women following resettlement in countries that grant asylum. We do know that adaptation following migration is a complex cultural, psychological and social process. Some studies have suggested a high prevalence of depression symptoms related to premigration and post-migration experiences. The purpose of this paper will be to describe the mental health status of Southeast Asian (S.E.A.) refugee women in the United States, before home visit interventions by school nurses and bilingual teachers, and at 10, 20 and 33 weeks following the intervention. A comparison group of S.E.A. refugee women, who did not receive the intervention, were evaluated for mental health status on two occasions ten weeks apart. The identified needs and problems identified by the women, the interventions implemented by the school nurses and the success of the interventions will also be discussed. The underlying problem for the majority of women was poverty and social isolation. The study demonstrates that indeed, refugee women in the U.S., are experiencing needs and problems related to basic survival issues in multiple areas of their lives. The findings suggest that home visit interventions by nurses may be a valuable means of reducing depression in S.E.A. refugee women.

Keywords: female refugees, depression, mental health, counseling

Topics: Displacement & Migration, Refugees, Economies, Poverty, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health Regions: Americas, North America, Asia, Southeast Asia Countries: United States of America

Year: 1998

Citation:

Fontana, Alan, and Robert Rosenheck. 1998. "Focus on Women: Duty-Related and Sexual Stress in the Etiology of PTSD among Women Veterans Who Seek Treatment." Psychiatric Services 49 (5): 658-662.

Authors: Alan Fontana, Robert Rosenheck

Abstract:

Objective: The stressful experiences of women serving in the military have been a focus of increasing concern. A model of the impact of stress related to military duty and stress related to sexual abuse and harassment on the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among female veterans was evaluated. 

Methods: Structural equation modeling was applied to data from 327 women treated in a VA clinical program for women with stress disorders. The model was a chronological one and included variables related to the women's premilitary experience, their military service, and their postmilitary experience.

Results: Altogether 48 percent of the sample served overseas, and 12 percent were exposed to enemy fire. A total of 63 percent reported experiences of physical sexual harassment during military service, and 43 percent reported rape or attempted rape. Both duty-related and sexual stress were found to contribute separately and significantly to the development of PTSD. Sexual stress was found to be almost four times as influential in the development of PTSD as duty-related stress. Postmilitary social support played a highly significant mediational role between sexual stress during military service and development of PTSD.

Conclusions: Women's exposure to sexual stress in the military is much more prevalent than previously believed. It is particularly toxic for the development of PTSD. Correct assessment is essential to effective treatment.

Keywords: female veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, mental health, counseling, sexual assault

Topics: Combatants, Female Combatants, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Militaries, Sexual Violence, Rape, SV against Women Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 1998

Citation:

Fontana, Alan, Brett Litz, and Robert Rosenheck. 2000. "Impact of Combat and Sexual Harassment on the Severity of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Men and Women Peacekeepers in Somalia." Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 188 (3): 163-169.

Authors: Alan Fontana, Brett Litz, Robert Rosenheck

Abstract:

The impact of combat and sexual harassment on the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is compared for 1307 men and 197 women peacekeepers who served in the same military units. A theoretical model was proposed to express the nature of the impact. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the model separately for men and women. Good-fitting, parsimonious models were developed that showed substantial similarity for men and women. For men, severity of PTSD symptoms was impacted by exposure to combat directly and indirectly through fear and sexual harassment. For women, severity of PTSD symptoms was impacted by combat indirectly through the same two influences, although the mechanisms involving fear and sexual harassment were somewhat different. For both genders, moreover, PTSD severity was impacted directly by exposure to the dying of the Somali people. These similarities suggest that in modern stressful overseas military missions, both genders may be susceptible to the same types of risk for the development of PTSD. The incidence and impact of sexual harassment is particularly noteworthy in the case of men and calls for more detailed investigation in future studies.

Keywords: sexual assault, posttraumatic stress disorder, peacekeepers

Topics: Armed Conflict, Combatants, Gender, Women, Men, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Peacekeeping, Peace Processes, Sexual Violence, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Regions: Africa, East Africa Countries: Somalia

Year: 2000

Citation:

Farhood, Leila. 1999. "War Trauma and Women: Predisposition and Vulnerability to Adverse Psychological Health Outcomes." In Women and War in Lebanon, edited by Lamia R. Shehadeh, 259-71. Gainesville: University Press of Florida.

Author: Leila Farhood

Keywords: posttic stress disorder

Topics: Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health Regions: MENA, Asia, Middle East Countries: Lebanon

Year: 1999