Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity Mediates the Relationship Between Military Sexual Trauma and Tension Reduction Behaviors in Male and Female Veterans

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051986435
Author(s):  
Susan M. Hannan ◽  
Katie B. Thomas ◽  
Carolyn B. Allard
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Indirect Effect ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Female Veterans ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Tension Reduction ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Relationship

Numerous studies attest to the prevalence and complex negative consequences associated with military sexual trauma (MST). However, relatively less is known about male survivors and about the interaction of psychological problems such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and emotion management difficulties following MST. The current study examined the path of psychological distress following MST in both male and female veterans. We predicted that (a) history of MST would predict more severe PTSD symptoms, which in turn would predict greater use of dysfunctional emotion management strategies (specifically, tension reduction behaviors) and that (b) PTSD symptoms would mediate the relationship between history of MST and tension reduction behaviors. Finally, we explored whether the indirect (i.e., mediating) effect was moderated by gender. Data were obtained from pretreatment paper and pencil assessments administered as part of standard clinical care from 338 veterans seeking treatment at a Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health specialty clinic. Veterans who endorsed MST experienced more severe PTSD symptoms and greater reported use of tension reduction behaviors. Bootstrapping testing the indirect effect revealed that PTSD symptoms mediated the relationship between history of MST and tension reduction behaviors. An exploratory moderated mediation analysis found that the indirect effect did not differ as a function of gender. PTSD symptoms appear to mediate the relationship between MST and tension reduction behaviors in veterans, regardless of gender. While previous research has suggested that civilian men report a greater number of tension reduction behaviors following a sexual assault compared to civilian women, we did not find the same gender differences among veterans. These results may provide support for using trauma-focused treatment even when MST survivors are reporting high-risk tension reduction behaviors.

scholarly journals Differential Risk for Homelessness Among US Male and Female Veterans With a Positive Screen for Military Sexual Trauma

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Brignone ◽  
Adi V. Gundlapalli ◽  
Rebecca K. Blais ◽  
Marjorie E. Carter ◽  
Ying Suo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Female Veterans ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Positive Screen ◽  
Differential Risk

Patterns and temporal precedence of symptom change during cognitive processing therapy for military sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 541-547
Author(s):  
Nicholas Holder ◽  
Ryan Holliday ◽  
Jessica Wiblin ◽  
Alina Surís
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Cognitive Processing Therapy ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Symptom Criteria

AbstractBackground:Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is an effective treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including for veterans with military sexual trauma (MST)-related PTSD. Most CPT research to date has focused on pre- to post-treatment change in total PTSD symptoms; however, PTSD symptom criteria may not change equivalently over the course of treatment. For example, changes in re-experiencing symptoms have been shown to precede changes in other PTSD criteria during other PTSD treatments (i.e. virtual reality exposure therapy, venlafaxine ER). An improved understanding of the mechanism of change in PTSD symptoms during CPT may assist in optimizing treatment.Aims:The purpose of this study was to identify the pattern and temporal precedence of change in PTSD symptom criteria during and after CPT using cross-lagged panel analyses.Method:Data from veterans (n = 32) enrolled in a randomized clinical trial investigating the effectiveness of CPT for MST-related PTSD were utilized for this secondary analysis. Using hierarchical linear modelling, each symptom criterion was entered as a predictor of subsequent change in the other PTSD symptom criteria.Results:All symptom criteria followed a logarithmic pattern of change. Hyperarousal symptoms were found to both predict and temporally precede change in avoidance symptoms, but not re-experiencing symptoms. Re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms did not predict change in other PTSD symptom criteria.Conclusions:These findings provide initial support that targeting and reducing hyperarousal symptoms may be a key component of PTSD intervention with CPT. Additional research is needed to identify factors that predict change in PTSD-related re-experiencing symptoms.

Context Matters: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Associations With Military Sexual Trauma Event Characteristics and Dual Histories of Interpersonal Trauma

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana C. Bennett ◽  
Edward J. Thomas ◽  
Katherine E. Porter ◽  
Rachel B. Broman ◽  
Sheila A. M. Rauch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Phenotypic Differences ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
History Of ◽  
Disorder Symptom

Despite the high rates of military sexual trauma (MST) experienced by service members and veterans, little is known about how contextual features of the MST event or concurrent histories of other interpersonal traumas are associated with diverse clinical presentations. This study examined contextual factors of MST events (number of perpetrators, location of MST, relationship to perpetrator, location of MST) and dual history of interpersonal traumas (including sexual abuse or assault throughout the lifespan, repeated MST, and intimate partner violence) in relation to total symptoms and symptom clusters of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). MST involving multiple perpetrators was related to higher avoidance and hyperarousal. MST while combat-deployed was associated with higher hyperarousal. Veterans endorsing a history of partner violence presented with higher reexperiencing and avoidance. Recognition of phenotypic differences may assist providers in treatment planning and optimizing outcomes.

Context Matters: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Associations With Military Sexual Trauma Event Characteristics and Dual Histories of Interpersonal Trauma

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-84
Author(s):  
Diana C. Bennett ◽  
Edward J. Thomas ◽  
Katherine E. Porter ◽  
Rachel B. Broman ◽  
Sheila A. M. Rauch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Phenotypic Differences ◽  
Clinical Presentations ◽  
History Of ◽  
Disorder Symptom

Despite the high rates of military sexual trauma (MST) experienced by service members and veterans, little is known about how contextual features of the MST event or concurrent histories of other interpersonal traumas are associated with diverse clinical presentations. This study examined contextual factors of MST events (number of perpetrators, location of MST, relationship to perpetrator, location of MST) and dual history of interpersonal traumas (including sexual abuse or assault throughout the lifespan, repeated MST, and intimate partner violence) in relation to total symptoms and symptom clusters of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). MST involving multiple perpetrators was related to higher avoidance and hyperarousal. MST while combat-deployed was associated with higher hyperarousal. Veterans endorsing a history of partner violence presented with higher reexperiencing and avoidance. Recognition of phenotypic differences may assist providers in treatment planning and optimizing outcomes.

Assessing Institutional Betrayal Among Female Veterans Who Experienced Military Sexual Trauma: A Rasch Analysis of the Institutional Betrayal Questionnaire.2

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052098395
Author(s):  
Lindsey L. Monteith ◽  
Alexandra L. Schneider ◽  
Ryan Holliday ◽  
Nazanin H. Bahraini
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Factor Structure ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Rasch Analysis ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
Military Sexual Trauma ◽  
Female Veterans ◽  
Military Sexual Assault ◽  
History Of

Military sexual trauma (MST; i.e., sexual harassment and/or sexual assault during one’s military service) is highly prevalent among female veterans and is associated with numerous adverse health and psychosocial sequelae. When institutions fail to prevent sexual trauma from happening or respond in an unsupportive manner (i.e., institutional betrayal [IB]), MST survivors typically report more severe health-related outcomes. Although the Institutional Betrayal Questionnaire.2 (IBQ.2) was developed to assess IB, no studies have examined the factor structure or dimensionality of the IBQ.2 among MST survivors. In addition, initial research has reported differing factor structures for this measure. The present study examined the dimensionality and factor structure of the IBQ.2, and tested for differential item functioning (DIF) based on whether military sexual assault was experienced. The sample comprised 235 female veterans who reported a history of MST in an anonymous national survey. Rasch analysis suggested multidimensionality and DIF based on history of military sexual assault. Exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis suggested the IBQ.2 comprises three factors: (1) Environment Leading to MST, (2) Institutional Response to MST, and (3) Institutional Belongingness following MST. Although these results suggest that the IBQ.2 is multidimensional, the three-factor model had significant issues with respect to dimensionality, item fit, and person separation and reliability. Thus, using the full IBQ.2 may be more advantageous. Further examination of the IBQ.2 is warranted to ensure optimal assessment of IB in relation to MST, irrespective of whether the MST comprised sexual harassment or sexual assault, as well as to ensure that the IBQ.2 is culturally meaningful for MST survivors.

Social Support, Emotional Intelligence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole L. Hofman ◽  
Austin M. Hahn ◽  
Christine K. Tirabassi ◽  
Raluca M. Gaher
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Exposure to traumatic events and the associated risk of developing Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is a significant and overlooked concern in the college population. It is important for current research to identify potential protective factors associated with the development and maintenance of PTSD symptoms unique to this population. Emotional intelligence and perceived social support are two identified protective factors that influence the association between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptomology. The current study examined the mediating role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. Participants included 443 trauma-exposed university students who completed online questionnaires. The results of this study indicated that social support mediates the relationship between emotional intelligence and reported PTSD symptoms. Thus, emotional intelligence is significantly associated with PTSD symptoms and social support may play an integral role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD. The current study is the first to investigate the role of social support in the relationship between emotional intelligence and PTSD symptoms. These findings have important treatment and prevention implications with regard to PTSD.

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