The role of unit and interpersonal support in military sexual trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms
Research Report:
Research SummaryAPA Citation:
Webermann, A. R., Relyea, M. R., Portnoy, G. A., Martino, S., Brandt, C. A., & Haskell, S. G. (2023). The role of unit and interpersonal support in military sexual trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 38(15-16), 8755-9608. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605231165764
Abstract Created by REACH:
Those who experience military sexual trauma commonly report posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. This study examined the importance of support from military and nonmilitary sources in the connection between military sexual trauma and PTSD symptoms. 825 Veterans reported whether they had experienced military sexual trauma, perceptions of unit support (i.e., support from military colleagues) and general social support (i.e., friends and family), and relevant background characteristics (e.g., age, race, childhood abuse). One year later, Veterans reported their PTSD symptom severity. In general, experiencing military sexual trauma was related to less perceived unit support and social support, which in turn were related to more severe PTSD symptoms 1 year later.
Focus:
Mental health
Physical health
Trauma
Veterans
Branch of Service:
Multiple branches
Military Affiliation:
Veteran
Subject Affiliation:
Veteran
Population:
Adulthood (18 yrs & older)
Young adulthood (18 - 29 yrs)
Thirties (30 - 39 yrs)
Middle age (40 - 64 yrs)
Methodology:
Longitudinal Study
Quantitative Study
Authors:
Webermann, Aliya R., Relyea, Mark R., Portnoy, Galina A., Martino, Steve, Brandt, Cynthia A., Haskell, Sally G.
Abstract:
Military sexual trauma (MST) is strongly associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Among many potential factors explaining this association are unit and interpersonal support, which have been explored in few studies with veterans who have experienced MST. This project examines unit and interpersonal support as moderators and/or mediators of PTSD symptoms among post-9/11 Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn veterans who experienced MST. MST, unit support, and interpersonal support variables were collected at Time 1 (T1; N?=?1,150, 51.4% women), and PTSD symptoms 1?year later at Time 2 (T2; N?=?825; 52.3% women). Given gender differences in endorsed MST, models with the full sample (men and women) and women only were examined, while controlling for covariates related to PTSD, and a path model was examined among women veterans. Mediation was supported in the full model and women-only models, with the combination of both mediators demonstrating the strongest mediation effects (full-model: ??=?.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.03, 0.10], p?
Publication Type:
Article
REACH Publication
Keywords:
PTSD, sexual trauma, veterans, interpersonal support
REACH Publication Type:
Research Summary
REACH Newsletter: