Rebecca K Blais1, Emily Brignone1, Jamison D Fargo1, Nathan W Galbreath2, Adi V Gundlapalli3. 1. Department of Psychology, Utah State University. 2. Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, Department of Defense. 3. Informatics, Decision Enhancement, and Analytic Sciences Center, Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Department of Veterans Affairs estimates of military sexual trauma (MST) suggest 27% of female veterans have experienced MST. However, Department of Defense data (Department of Defense, 2014) show that a subgroup of active-duty women do not report sexual assaults to a military authority, suggesting barriers to disclosure exist among military samples. No study of female veterans has examined rates of nondisclosure among those with previous screens for MST; these data could inform screening efforts and establishment of safe havens for candid disclosures. METHOD: Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods survey, a history of MST, and postservice MST disclosures during screening and their associations with demographic, assault, and screening-setting characteristics were evaluated in 359 female veterans. Open-ended responses regarding barriers to disclosure were analyzed using editing analysis style. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent (n = 289) reported MST. Of these, 50% (n = 143) reported a prior screening and 25% (n = 35) reported they did not disclose their true MST status. Veterans who experienced MST by a unit-member assailant were significantly less likely to disclose (adjusted odds ratio = 4.75, 95% confidence interval = 1.20-18.30). Disclosure barriers included stigma, experiential avoidance, and discomfort with the screening setting. CONCLUSION: Creative interventions to reduce nondisclosure among female veterans, with specific attention to those assaulted by a unit member, are urgently needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
OBJECTIVE: Department of Veterans Affairs estimates of military sexual trauma (MST) suggest 27% of female veterans have experienced MST. However, Department of Defense data (Department of Defense, 2014) show that a subgroup of active-duty women do not report sexual assaults to a military authority, suggesting barriers to disclosure exist among military samples. No study of female veterans has examined rates of nondisclosure among those with previous screens for MST; these data could inform screening efforts and establishment of safe havens for candid disclosures. METHOD: Using an explanatory sequential mixed-methods survey, a history of MST, and postservice MST disclosures during screening and their associations with demographic, assault, and screening-setting characteristics were evaluated in 359 female veterans. Open-ended responses regarding barriers to disclosure were analyzed using editing analysis style. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent (n = 289) reported MST. Of these, 50% (n = 143) reported a prior screening and 25% (n = 35) reported they did not disclose their true MST status. Veterans who experienced MST by a unit-member assailant were significantly less likely to disclose (adjusted odds ratio = 4.75, 95% confidence interval = 1.20-18.30). Disclosure barriers included stigma, experiential avoidance, and discomfort with the screening setting. CONCLUSION: Creative interventions to reduce nondisclosure among female veterans, with specific attention to those assaulted by a unit member, are urgently needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
Authors: Audrey L Jones; Warren B P Pettey; Marjorie E Carter; Emily Brignone; Andrew Redd; Ying Suo; Guy Divita; Rebecca K Blais; Jamison D Fargo; Adi V Gundlapalli Journal: AMIA Annu Symp Proc Date: 2020-03-04
Authors: Nicole A Short; Megan Lechner; Benjamin S McLean; Andrew S Tungate; Jenny Black; Jennie A Buchanan; Rhiannon Reese; Jeffrey D Ho; Gordon D Reed; Melissa A Platt; Ralph J Riviello; Catherine H Rossi; Patricia P Nouhan; Carolyn A Phillips; Sandra L Martin; Israel Liberzon; Sheila A M Rauch; Kenneth A Bollen; Ronald C Kessler; Samuel A McLean Journal: Depress Anxiety Date: 2020-10-08 Impact factor: 6.505