United States of America

Citation:

Schnurr, Paula P., Matthew J. Friedman, Anjana Sengupta, M. K. Jankowski, and Tamara Holmes. 2000. "PTSD and Utilization of Medical Treatment Services among Male Vietnam Veterans." The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 188 (8): 496-504.

Authors: Paula P. Schnurr, Matthew J. Friedman, Anjana Sengupta, M. K. Jankowski, Tamara Holmes

Abstract:

This study investigated the effect of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on help-seeking for physical problems. Merging two large data sets resulted in a sample of 1773 male Vietnam veterans from white, black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian, and Japanese American ethnic groups. Predictors of utilization included PTSD, other axis I disorders, and substance abuse. In analyses that adjusted only for age, PTSD was related to greater utilization of recent and lifetime VA medical services, and with recent inpatient care from all sources. Further analysis showed that the increased utilization associated with PTSD was not merely due to the high comorbidity between PTSD and other axis I disorders. The uniqueness of the association between PTSD and medical utilization is discussed in terms of somatization and physical illness. 

Keywords: male veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, mental health

Topics: Combatants, Male Combatants, Ethnicity, Gender, Men, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups Regions: Americas, North America, Asia, Southeast Asia Countries: United States of America, Vietnam

Year: 2000

Citation:

Rothman, Gene H. 1984. "Needs of Female Patients in a Veterans Psychiatric Hospital." Social Work 29 (4): 380-385.

Author: Gene H. Rothman

Abstract:

The article elaborates a study, which examined the psychiatric and medical care of female veterans. This article presents findings of a survey of 69 female patients at a Veterans Administration (VA) psychiatric facility. The purpose of the study was to assess the satisfaction with present health and mental health services and the possible need for additional services for females. The study was conducted by a Task Force on the Status of Female Veterans at the facility under the auspices of the hospital director. At a later time, the VA national administration independently called attention to the "special needs and concerns of women veteran patients" in a "Professional Services Letter," which noted that because of the high proportion of male veterans, VA health care programs are typically oriented to male health needs. There are several reasons why female veterans are important to the field of social work at the present time. First, health care for veterans is a major component of the national health care system, and female veterans are an increasing proportion of such patients. Until 1967, law to 2 percent of enlisted strength limited female participation in the armed forces.

Keywords: female veterans, mental health, sexual assault

Topics: Combatants, Female Combatants, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Sexual Violence, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 1984

Citation:

Rosen, Leora N., Kathleen Wright, David Marlowe, Paul Bartone, and Robert K. Gifford. 1999. "Gender Differences in Subjective Distress Attributable to Anticipation of Combat among U.S. Army Soldiers Deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm." Military Medicine 164 (11): 753-757.

Authors: Leora N. Rosen, Kathleen Wright, David Marlowe, Paul Bartone, Robert K. Gifford

Abstract:

Compared the perceptions of stress, cohesion, and psychological well-being among army soldiers deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. 856 male and 169 female soldiers (mean age 26.3–28.9 yrs) across 48 combat support and combat service support companies were administered surveys on-site concerning anticipation of combat, operational stress, personal stress, and bonding with peers, leaders, and subordinates. Administered tests included the Brief Symptom Inventory (L. R. Derogatis and N. Melisaratos, 1983) and the Measure of Personality Hardiness (S. C. Kobasa, 1979). Results show that females scored higher than males on all 3 stress measures and scored lower in bonding with leaders and subordinates. Anticipation of combat was the most significant discriminator between sexes, and was a significant predictor of increased psychological symptoms for both sexes. Hardiness scores were similar for both sexes, but anticipation of combat had a greater effect on the psychological symptoms of females compared with males.

Keywords: female soldiers, mental health

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

Year: 1999

Citation:

Nilsson, Johanna E., Chris Brown, Emily B. Russell, Supavan Khamphakdy-Brown. 2008. "Acculturation, Partner Violence, and Psychological Distress in Refugee Women from Somalia." Journal of Interpersonal Violence 23 (11): 1654-63.

Authors: Johanna E. Nilsson, Chris Brown, Emily B. Russell, Supavan Khamphakdy-Brown

Abstract:

This study examined the relations among acculturation, domestic violence, and mental health in 62 married refugee women from Somalia. Refugees from Somalia constituted the largest group of refugees entering the United States in 2005, and little is known about the presence of domestic violence in this group. The results showed that women who reported greater ability to speak English also reported more experiences of partner psychological abuse and physical aggression. Experiences of more psychological abuse and physical aggressions also predicted more psychological distress. Implications for future research and psychological services are addressed.

Keywords: mental health, female refugees, domestic violence

Topics: Displacement & Migration, Refugees, Domestic Violence, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health Regions: Africa, East Africa, Americas, North America Countries: Somalia, United States of America

Year: 2008

Citation:

Murdoch, Maureen, John B. Pryor, Melissa A. Polusny, and Gary D. Gackstetter. 2007. "Functioning and Psychiatric Symptoms among Military Men and Women Exposed to Sexual Stressors." Military Medicine 172 (7): 718-725.

Authors: Maureen Murdoch, John B. Pryor, Melissa A. Polusny, Gary D. Gackstetter

Abstract:

Objective: The goal was to describe military men's and women's functioning and psychiatric symptoms according to their military sexual stressor exposure. 

Method: A cross-sectional survey of 204 Army soldiers and 611 other active duty troops (487 men and 327 women) was performed. 

Results: Forty-five percent of men and 80% of women reported at least one sexual stressor type (i.e., sexual identity challenges, sexual harassment, or sexual assault). After adjustment, subjects reporting more types of sexual stressors had poorer physical, work, role, and social functioning; more-severe post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms; and more somatic concerns, compared with subjects reporting fewer or no sexual stressor types (all p < 0.004). Interactions by gender were insignificant (all p > 0.11). Within sexual stressor category, men and women reported similar mean adjusted functioning and psychiatric symptoms. 

Conclusions: For both men and women, impaired functioning and more severe psychiatric symptoms were more common among those reporting more types of sexual stressors.

Keywords: sexual assault, mental health, female soldiers, male soldiers, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety

Topics: Combatants, Gender, Women, Men, Health, Mental Health, PTSD, Trauma, Military Forces & Armed Groups, Militaries, Sexual Violence, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Sexuality Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 2007

Citation:

Murdoch, Maureen, Melissa A. Polusny, James Hodges, and Nancy O'Brien. 2004. "Prevalence of In-Service and Post-Service Sexual Assault among Combat and Noncombat Veterans Applying for Department of Veterans Affairs Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Disability Benefits." Military Medicine 169 (5): 392-395.

Authors: Maureen Murdoch, Melissa A. Polusny, James Hodges, Nancy O'Brien

Abstract:

Objective: To describe the prevalence of in-service and post-service sexual assault among combat and noncombat veterans seeking Veteran’s Affairs disability benefits for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 4,918 veterans. 

Results: Surveys were returned by 3,337 veterans (effective response rate, 68%). Among men, 6.5% of combat veterans and 16.5% of noncombat veterans reported in-service or post-service sexual assault. Among women, 69% of combat veterans and 86.6% of noncombat veterans reported in-service or post-service sexual assault. 

Conclusions: Reported rates of sexual assault were considerably higher among veterans seeking Veteran’s Affairs disability benefits for PTSD than historically reported rates for men and women in the general population. In this population, male gender and veterans’ combat status should not dissuade clinicians from screening for sexual traumas.

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

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

Year: 2004

Citation:

Murdoch, Maureen, James Hodges, Carolyn Hunt, Diane Cowper, Nancy Kressin, and Nancy O'Brien. 2003. "Gender Differences in Service Connection for PTSD." Medical Care 41 (8): 950-961.

Authors: Maureen Murdoch, James Hodges, Carolyn Hunt, Diane Cowper, Nancy Kressin, Nancy O'Brien

Abstract:

Background. Mentally ill female veterans obtain a smaller proportion of their care from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities than mentally ill male veterans do, possibly because women are less likely than men to be service connected for psychiatric disabilities. "Service connected" veterans have documented, compensative conditions related to or aggravated by military service, and they receive priority for enrollment into the VA healthcare system.

Objectives. To see if there are gender discrepancies in rates of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and, if so, to see if these discrepancies could be attributed to appropriate subject characteristics (eg, differences in symptom severity or impairment).

Research Design. Mailed survey linked to administrative data. Claims audits were conducted on 11% of the sample.

Subjects. Randomly selected veterans seeking VA disability benefits for PTSD. Women were oversampled to achieve a gender ratio of 1:1.

Results. A total of 3337 veterans returned usable surveys (effective response rate, 68%). Men's unadjusted rate of service connection for PTSD was 71%; women's, 52% (P < 0.0001). Adjustment for veterans' PTSD symptom severity or functional impairment did not appreciably reduce this discrepancy, but adjustment for dissimilar rates of combat exposure did. Estimated rates of service connection were 53% for men and 56% for women after adjusting for combat exposure. This combat preference could not be explained by more severe PTSD symptoms or greater functional impairment.

Conclusions. Instead of a gender bias in awards for PTSD service connection, we found evidence of a combat advantage that disproportionately favored men. The appropriateness of this apparent advantage is unclear and needs further investigation. 

Keywords: posttraumatic stress disorder, mental health, male soldiers, female soldiers, trauma

Topics: Armed Conflict, 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: 2003

Citation:

Maguen, Shira, Beth Cohen, Greg Cohen, Erin Madden, Daniel Bertenthal, and Karen Seal. 2012. "Gender Differences in Health Service Utilization among Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder." Journal of Women's Health 21(6): 666-673.

Authors: Shira Maguen, Beth Cohen, Greg Cohen, Erin Madden, Daniel Bertenthal, Karen Seal

Abstract:

Background: Little is known about gender differences in healthcare use among newly returning veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We investigated gender differences in Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center health service use among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with PTSD with and without comorbid depression and alcohol use disorders (AUD).

Methods: Using VA administrative data, bivariate and multivariate statistics were used to examine gender differences in health service use among 159,705 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans with PTSD seeking VA healthcare from October 7, 2001, to December 31, 2010.

Results: Female veterans with PTSD were more likely to be black and single and to have higher mental health, primary care, and emergency care use compared to men with PTSD. Men were more likely to have higher mental health inpatient use compared to women. Women and men with comorbid PTSD and depression or comorbid PTSD and AUD were more likely to have higher use in all domains compared to their counterparts with PTSD without these comorbid disorders. Women with comorbid PTSD and depression were 12.5 times more likely to have a mental health inpatient hospitalization compared to their female counterparts without depression and twice as likely to have a mental health hospitalization compared to men with comorbid PTSD and depression.

Conclusions: Women with PTSD had higher use than men in almost all areas, as did all veterans with comorbid PTSD and depression and comorbid PTSD and AUD, regardless of gender. Better understanding these health service use differences will allow for targeted evaluation and integrated treatment interventions in veterans with PTSD.

Keywords: female veterans, male veterans, posttraumatic stress disorder, mental health

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

Year: 2012

Citation:

Magley, Vicki J., Craig R. Waldo, Fritz Drasgow, and Louise F. Fitzgerald. 1999. "The Impact of Sexual Harassment on Military Personnel: Is it the Same for Men and Women?" Military Psychology 11 (3): 283-302.

Authors: Vicki J. Magley, Craig R. Waldo, Fritz Drasgow, Louise F. Fitzgerald

Abstract:

Research in the civilian workplace has documented the serious psychological, health-related, and job-related outcomes of sexual harassment of women by men. The question of whether men experience sexual harassment similarly has more recently been proposed (Berdahl, Magley, & Waldo, 1996; Popovich, Campbell, Everton, Mangan, & Godinho, 1994; Vaux, 1993; Waldo, Berdahl, & Fitzgerald, 1998; Waldo & Magley, 1996), resulting in considerable debate regarding not only the extent of the outcomes of such experiences but also the sex of the offender. This study directly compared outcomes of sexual harassment for men and women utilizing data from the U.S. Department of Defense's (1995) recent gender issues survey. The results of both linear and quadratic regression analyses indicate that within the range of similar experiences, sexual harassment exerts a negative effect on male and female personnel in similar ways on 3 sets of outcomes: psychological, health, and job-related. Three differences emerged, however, suggesting differential experiences of sexual harassment for men and women. First, women were more likely to have been sexually harassed than were men. Second, women experienced sexual harassment at higher frequencies than did men; the negative impact on women, both individually and as a group, is thus considerably more pronounced. Finally, women almost always experienced sexual harassment from men; men were somewhat more likely to experience such behaviors from men than from women.

Keywords: military sexual assault, female soldiers, male soldiers, mental health

Topics: Combatants, Female Combatants, Male Combatants, Gender, Women, Men, Health, Mental Health, Sexual Violence, SV against Men, SV against Women Regions: Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 1999

Citation:

Loewy, Michael I., DiAnna T. Williams, and Aster Keleta. 2002. "Group Counseling with Traumatized East African Refugee Women in the United States." The Journal for Specialists in Group Work 27 (2): 173-191.

Authors: Michael I. Loewy, DiAnna T. Williams, Aster Keleta

Abstract:

The Kaffa ceremony is a unique, culturally appropriate, group counseling intervention for female East African refugees. A counseling group is described in which the Kaffa ceremony was instrumental in helping to bridge the gap between Western counseling and East African culture, providing a context for the group members to resolve long-held trauma. Stages of group process and therapeutic factors are identified and ethical concerns are addressed. Recommendations for incorporating the Kaffa Intervention into professional practice with this population, as well as relevant information about the cultures, are provided.

Keywords: mental health, female refugees, trauma, counseling

Topics: Displacement & Migration, Refugees, Gender, Women, Health, Mental Health, Trauma, Humanitarian Assistance, Context-Appropriate Response to Trauma Regions: Africa, East Africa, Americas, North America Countries: United States of America

Year: 2002