scholarly journals Focusing on SELF (Safety, Empowerment, Living Life Differently, and Forging a New You): Evaluating a New Approach toward Sexual Trauma Treatment for Military Service Members

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Cristobal S. Berry-Caban ◽  
Sabrina S. Lewis ◽  
Lindsey N. Thielmann ◽  
Aletia L. Wilkins ◽  
Qwanquita T. Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Sexual Trauma ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress

Sexual assault is a pervasive problem in the United States military. The U.S. Department of Defense established the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office as the centralized helm of all sexual assault efforts. Their focus however, is on prevention, surveillance, and the reporting of sexual assault. Safety, Empowerment, Living Life Differently and Forging a New You (SELF) was designed at a large military treatment facility as a supplemental treatment option for female active-duty service members who require additional clinical services in an outpatient setting. SELF’s goal is to facilitate change and instill hope in trauma survivors by providing psychoeducation and utilizing evidenced-based interventions that focus on the developmental, psychological, and social impact of trauma. A total of 19 female active-duty soldiers completed all eight sessions. Pre- and post-test data were available for 23 participants. Numerical variables were reported in medians and interquartile ranges. All categorical variables were reported in counts and frequencies. Paired pre- and post- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5) differences were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank and differences in initial PCL-5 score between attendance adherence groups were determined using the Kruskal Wallis test. Results show a mean decrease of 10 from baseline (p = .001). SELF may provide a supplement to current treatment modalities for survivors of sexual trauma.

Health and Service-related Impact of Sexual and Stalking Victimization During United States Military Service on LGBT Service Members

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052097031
Author(s):  
Cary Leonard Klemmer ◽  
Ashley C. Schuyler ◽  
Mary Rose Mamey ◽  
Sheree M. Schrager ◽  
Carl Andrew Castro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Military Service ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
United States Military ◽  
Service Outcomes ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Military ◽  
Stalking Victimization

Prior research among military personnel has indicated that sexual harassment, stalking, and sexual assault during military service are related to negative health sequelae. However, research specific to LGBT U.S. service members is limited. The current study aimed to explore the health, service utilization, and service-related impact of stalking and sexual victimization experiences in a sample of active-duty LGBT U.S. service members ( N = 248). Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit study participants. U.S. service members were eligible to participate if they were 18 years or older and active-duty members of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, or U.S. Air Force. This study included a sizeable portion of transgender service members ( N = 58, 23.4%). Sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics of military service, health, and sexual and stalking victimization in the military were assessed. Regression was used to examine relationships between health and service outcomes and sexual and stalking victimization during military service. Final adjusted models showed that experiencing multiple forms of victimization in the military increased the odds of visiting a mental health clinician and having elevated somatic symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology, anxiety, and suicidality. Sexual and stalking victimization during U.S. military service was statistically significantly related to the mental and physical health of LGBT U.S. service members. Interventions to reduce victimization experiences and support LGBT U.S. service members who experience these types of violence are indicated. Research that examines the role of LGBT individuals’ experiences and organizational and peer factors, including social support, leadership characteristics, and institutional policies in the United States military is needed.

scholarly journals PERIACETABULAR OSTEOTOMY IN ACTIVE DUTY U.S. MILITARY PERSONNEL: A SINGLE CENTER’S EXPERIENCE WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS FOLLOW-UP

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0014
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Murtha ◽  
Matthew R. Schmitz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Periacetabular Osteotomy ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
Active Service ◽  
The Impact

Background: The primary focus of periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) literature has been survivorship until hip arthroplasty. This endpoint overlooks its impact on young, active patients. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study sought to assess the impact of the PAO on the careers of active duty members of the United States Armed Forces. Methods: A retrospective review identified 38 patients who underwent PAO performed by a single surgeon at an academic, military medical center from January 2014 through April 2017. Twenty-one of the patients were active duty United States military service members (16 female, 5 male) and had a minimum 28 months of post-operative follow-up at the time of review. Preoperative and postoperative duty restrictions were noted and referrals to the U.S Army and U.S. Air Force Medical Evaluation Boards (MEB) were queried. Results: The average age at surgery was 25.6 years (range, 19-40y). Preoperatively, sixteen patients (94.1%) were on duty restrictions, one had been referred to the MEB, and records were not available on three patients who separated from the military prior to review. Average follow-up was 3.4 years (range, 2.3 – 5.4y). Among the patients without a preoperative MEB referral, 85.0% remained on active duty (n = 12) or completed their military service commitment (n=5). Of the fourteen patients with temporary duty restrictions preoperatively, 35.7% (n=5) were relieved of their restrictions and returned to full duty and 50% (n=7) were retained on active service with permanent duty restrictions. Such permanent duty restrictions typically consisted of modifications to the aerobic component of the semiannual military fitness testing. Six patients (28.6%) were referred to the MEB including one who was referred prior to PAO. Of these patients, two were deemed fit to retain on active service with permanent duty restrictions, two were medically separated for non-hip conditions, and two were medically separated for a hip condition. The average Veteran Affairs (VA) disability score related to hip pathology in patients referred to MEB was 16% (range 0-40%). Conclusion: This is the first study to look at the PAO in active duty military service members. In patients with symptomatic acetabular dysplasia, PAO may provide an opportunity to relieve preoperative duty restrictions and allow for continued military service. Further study with the inclusion of patient reported outcomes are necessary assess the impact of the procedure in this active patient population.

scholarly journals ‘Master My Demons’: art therapy montage paintings by active-duty military service members with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 353-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marygrace Berberian ◽  
Melissa S Walker ◽  
Girija Kaimal
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Art Therapy ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Active Duty Military ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
Post Traumatic

This study involved a thematic analysis of montage paintings and of related clinical records of 240 active-duty military service members collected during their art therapy treatment for traumatic brain injury and underlying psychological health concerns, including post-traumatic stress, at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. Congruent with other research findings, the qualitative analyses of this study suggest that the group art therapy experiences fostered improvement in interpersonal relatedness, hopefulness and gratification for the service members in treatment, aiding in externalisation, progressive exposure and construction of a trauma narrative imperative for recovery. The mixed media nature of the montage painting supported the expression of a range of postcombat symptoms. Results from this study highlighted the complexity of military culture, necessitating a broader scope of analyses for how art therapy helps service members express and communicate their challenges to care providers, peers and family as well as regulate emotion in the short and long term.

Handbook of Military and Veteran Suicide

2017 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
National Guard ◽  
Psychological Trauma ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
The Impact

There are approximately 30,000 suicides in the United States each year. Over 20% of these suicides are completed by active duty service members and military veterans. Experts in the field of military suicide collaboratively contributed to this textbook to summarize the current state of research on this important topic. The text encompasses various themes; it defines the scope of the problem, outlines current methods for screening and assessing suicide risk, summarizes both evidence-based treatments and risk management techniques, and describes current suicide prevention efforts. Specific topics among such themes explore the effect of psychological trauma, traumatic brain injury, and the impact of military culture on suicide risk. In addition, the text provides an overview of suicide efforts targeted for special population veteran and active duty service members, such as the Army National Guard and Special Operations Forces. Ethical considerations, challenges of research, as well as future directions are highlighted to provide the reader with a critical analysis of military and veteran suicide research. The information provided herein is ideal for care providers such as physicians, psychologists, and mental health professionals—as well as academics whose work involves military service members and veterans.

scholarly journals Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Training for US Service Members and Veterans with Symptoms of PTSD

2019 ◽  
Vol 184 (11-12) ◽  
pp. e626-e631
Author(s):  
Alison E Willing ◽  
Sue Ann Girling ◽  
Ryan Deichert ◽  
Rebecca Wood-Deichert ◽  
Jason Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
The United States ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress

Abstract Introduction The United States has been actively involved in major armed conflicts over the last 15 years. As a result, a significant proportion of active duty service personnel and returning veterans have endured combat, putting them at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a disabling disorder that may occur after exposure to a traumatic event. Current therapies often require long-term, time-intensive and costly commitment from the patient and have variable degrees of success. There remains an ongoing need for better therapies, including complementary medicine approaches that can effectively reduce PTSD symptoms. While anecdotal evidence suggests that routine practice of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) can reduce symptoms of PTSD, there have been no formal studies to address this. Materials and Methods This study was approved by the University of South Florida Institutional Review Board (#PRO00019430). Male US active duty service members and veterans from the Tampa area participated in a 5-month (40 sessions) BJJ training program. Before beginning and again midway through and upon completion of training the participants completed several validated self-report measures that addressed symptoms of PTSD and other co-morbid conditions. Effect size and 95% confidence intervals were determined using a within-person single-group pretest–posttest design. Results Study participants demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements in their PTSD symptoms as well as decreased symptoms of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety and decreased alcohol use; effect sizes varied from 0.80 to 1.85. Conclusions The results from this first-of-kind pilot study suggest that including BJJ as a complementary treatment to standard therapy for PTSD may be of value. It will be necessary to validate these promising results with a larger subject cohort and a more rigorous experimental design before routinely recommending this complementary therapy.

Women Veterans’ Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence and Non-Partner Sexual Assault in the Context of Military Service: Implications for Supporting Women’s Health and Well-Being

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 843-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa E. Dichter ◽  
Clara Wagner ◽  
Gala True
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Women Veterans ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Service Members ◽  
The Military ◽  
The Impact

Women who have served in the military in the United States experience high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner sexual assault (SA). The military setting presents challenges and opportunities not experienced in other employment contexts that may compound the negative impacts of IPV/SA on women’s lives. The purpose of this study was to explore the intersection of women’s experiences of IPV/SA and military service through analysis of women veterans’ narrative accounts. We conducted in-depth face-to-face qualitative interviews with 25 women veterans receiving primary care at a U.S. Veterans Affairs Medical Center. We draw upon Adler and Castro’s (2013) Military Occupational Mental Health Model to frame our understanding of the impact of IPV/SA as a stressor in the military cultural context and to inform efforts to prevent, and support women service members who have experienced, these forms of violence. Our findings highlight the impact of IPV/SA on women’s military careers, including options for entering and leaving military service, job performance, and opportunities for advancement. Women’s narratives also reveal ways in which the military context constrains their options for responding to and coping with experiences of IPV/SA. These findings have implications for prevention of, and response to, intimate partner or sexual violence experienced by women serving in the military and underscore the need for both military and civilian communities to recognize and address the negative impact of such violence on women service members before, during, and after military service.

Prospective study of anxiety, post-traumatic stress and depression on postural control, gait, otolith and visuospatial function in military service members with persistent post-concussive symptoms

2019 ◽  
pp. 271-287
Author(s):  
◽  
Andrew Lewandowski ◽  
Lindell K. Weaver ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Injury ◽  
Postural Control ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
High Anxiety ◽  
Affective Symptoms ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
Post Traumatic

Purpose: Military service members often report both affective and vestibular complaints after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), but associations between symptoms and vestibular deficits can be subtle and inconsistent. Methods: From two complementary studies, one of military service members with persistent post-concussive symptoms after mTBI (NCT01611194) and the other of adult volunteers with no history of brain injury (NCT01925963), affective symptoms were compared to postural control, gait, otolith and visuospatial function. Results: The studies enrolled 71 participants with mTBI and 75 normative controls. Participants with mTBI had significantly reduced postural equilibrium on the sensory organization test (SOT), and more so in those with high anxiety or post-traumatic stress. Cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMP; oVEMP) showed prolonged latencies in mTBI participants compared to controls; oVEMPs were significantly delayed in mTBI participants with high anxiety, post-traumatic stress or depression. A subset of the mTBI group had abnormal tandem gait and high anxiety. Anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and depression did not correlate with performance on the 6-Minute Walk Test, visuospatial neuropsychological measures, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale in the mTBI group. Conclusions: In this study military service members with mTBI reported affective symptoms, concurrently with vestibular-balance concerns. Worse scores on affective measures were associated with abnormal findings on measures of postural control, gait and otolith function.

scholarly journals Incidence of Ankle Sprains Among Active-Duty Members of the United States Armed Services From 1998 Through 2006

2010 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth L. Cameron ◽  
Brett D. Owens ◽  
Thomas M. DeBerardino
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Ankle Sprain ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Ankle Sprains ◽  
Injury Patterns ◽  
The Us ◽  
Armed Services

Abstract Context: Ankle sprains have been reported as one of the most common injuries sustained by members of the US Armed Services. However, little is known about the incidence rate and injury patterns associated with ankle sprains in this population. Objective: To examine the incidence of ankle sprains among active-duty members of the US Armed Services from 1998 through 2006. A secondary objective was to describe the sex, age, and service-specific injury patterns in this young, physically active population. Design: Cohort study. Patients or Other Participants: All active-duty service members from the day they enter military service until the day they leave military service and US Army Reserve and National Guard service members during periods of active duty and mobilization. Main Outcome Measure(s): Injury data were extracted from the Defense Medical Epidemiological Database from 1998 through 2006. All data for ankle sprains, coded according to the International Classification of Diseases (9th revision), were included. Cases were limited to those injuries reported as first occurrences. Incidence rates (IRs) were calculated per 1000 person-years by sex, age, and service. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to assess the strength of association between the incidence of ankle sprain and the independent variables of sex, age, and service. Results: From 1998 through 2006, 423 581 service members sustained ankle sprains and 12 118 863 person-years at risk to injury were documented in this population. The incidence rate was 34.95 (95% CI  =  34.85, 35.06) per 1000 person-years at risk. Females were 21% more likely (IRR  =  1.21, 95% CI  =  1.21, 1.23) to sustain an ankle sprain than males. Sex-specific IR varied by age and service. Differences in the rate of ankle sprains were also noted by age and service. Conclusions: The incidence of ankle sprains among US service members was 5 times greater than that previously reported in civilian population studies. Sex, age, and branch of military service are important factors related to the incidence of ankle sprains in this population.

Incidence of insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea in active duty United States military service members

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian A Moore ◽  
Lynn M Tison ◽  
Javier G Palacios ◽  
Alan L Peterson ◽  
Vincent Mysliwiec
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Obstructive Sleep Apnea ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Active Duty ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Service Members ◽  
United States Military ◽  
Obstructive Sleep ◽  
Military Service Members ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Study Objectives Epidemiologic studies of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and insomnia in the U.S. military are limited. The primary aim of this study was to report and compare OSA and insomnia diagnoses in active duty the United States military service members. Method Data and service branch densities used to derive the expected rates of diagnoses on insomnia and OSA were drawn from the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database. Single sample chi-square goodness of fit tests and independent samples t-tests were conducted to address the aims of the study. Results Between 2005 and 2019, incidence rates of OSA and insomnia increased from 11 to 333 and 6 to 272 (per 10,000), respectively. Service members in the Air Force, Navy, and Marines were diagnosed with insomnia and OSA below expected rates, while those in the Army had higher than expected rates (p < .001). Female service members were underdiagnosed in both disorders (p < .001). Comparison of diagnoses following the transition from ICD 9 to 10 codes revealed significant differences in the amounts of OSA diagnoses only (p < .05). Conclusion Since 2005, incidence rates of OSA and insomnia have markedly increased across all branches of the U.S. military. Despite similar requirements for overall physical and mental health and resilience, service members in the Army had higher rates of insomnia and OSA. This unexpected finding may relate to inherent differences in the branches of the military or the role of the Army in combat operations. Future studies utilizing military-specific data and directed interventions are required to reverse this negative trend.

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