Conceptual model of male military sexual trauma.

Elder, William B.; Domino, Jessica L.; Rentz, Timothy O; Mata-Galan, Emma

doi:10.1037/tra0000194

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Gender (e.g., masculinity and sexuality concerns), stigma, and knowledge-related concerns emerged as prominent barriers. Elder, Domino, Rentz, and Mata-Galán (2017) also conducted a qualitative study with 21 male veterans who disclosed MST to their VA provider and received outpatient treatment, with the goal of describing the diagnostic concerns of male veterans who experienced military sexual assault. Men in their study described difficulty trusting others, fear of abandonment, substance use, fear of interpersonal violence, sexual dysfunction, anger difficulties, conduct and vocational problems, and posttraumatic growth.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The phenomenology of military sexual trauma among male veterans.

Monteith¹,

Gerber²,

Brownstone³

et al. 2019

Psychology of Men & Masculinities

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Military sexual trauma (MST) has been studied extensively in women; however, knowledge regarding the ways in which men are affected by MST remains limited. The present study used a phenomenological approach to describe the lived experiences of men exposed to MST. Participants were 18 male veterans who experienced MST and completed semistructured qualitative interviews. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was used to identify themes. Participants described disruptions to their sense of masculinity and questioned their sexuality following MST. They described altered attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to prevent revictimization, in addition to avoidant coping (e.g., substance use). Men described secrecy regarding MST, which was perceived to be deleterious over time. Disclosure of MST and the response to disclosure appeared to be pivotal: Negative reactions to disclosure were described as common and harmful; supportive reactions, though rare, seemed to facilitate recovery. Men expressed experiencing a sense of personal and institutional betrayal, in addition to becoming distrustful, hypervigilant, and disillusioned after experiencing MST. Struggles with intimacy, isolation, and relationship difficulties also ensued. These phenomenological findings illuminate the complex and varied ways in which male veterans appear to experience MST and its sequelae. Results highlight several potential avenues for further research and provide guidance for how clinicians and institutions can support male survivors of MST in their recovery.

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confidence: 99%

The phenomenology of military sexual trauma among male veterans.

Monteith¹,

Gerber²,

Brownstone³

et al. 2019

Psychology of Men & Masculinities

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“…For veterans with msT, the unique characteristics of military culture, such as placinghigh value on masculinity or prioritizing appearances of strength, may further hinder treatment seeking through increased stigma (Bell, Turchik, &K arpenko, 2014;o'Brien, Keith, &s hoemaker, 2015). Finally, men often experience sexual violence under different circumstances than women and may experience different clinical outcomes (anderson, Cahill, &D elahanty, 2016;Davies, 2002).Trauma-relevant contextual aspects including the increased likelihood of msT perpetration by men,gender-relevant strain, and perception that female clinicians may be less challenging to discuss sensitive issues may relate to careseeking decisions among survivors (e.g., Bell et al, 2014;elder, Domino, Rentz, & mata-Galán, 2017;monteith, Gerber, Brownstone, soberay &B ahraini, 2019). Thus, facilitating care for msT survivors necessitates sensitivity to gender-related issues and potential patient preferences.…”

Section: Gender Issues and Barriers To Treatment Seekingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Preferences for Provider Gender and Associations with Mental Health Evaluation Attendance

Sexton¹,

Anderson²,

Bennett³

et al. 2021

Preprint

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This study seeks to explore the role of preference in provider gender for treatment-seeking, survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) in a Midwestern VHA hospital setting. The subjects were one hundred ninety-seven veterans enrolled in care who endorsed a history of MST and agreed to referral for follow-up care related to concerns associated with their experiences. Patients indicated their preference, if any, for provider gender. Overall, 47.2% of participants requested a female clinician, less than 1% requested a male clinician (this group not further analyzed), and the remainder had no gender preference. Among women, 53.5% requested a female provider in contrast with 29.4% of men. The patient gender difference in provider gender preference was significant with a small-to-medium effect. The rate of attendance at evaluation appointments was 73.6%. Attendance rates were 74.6% and 70.6% for women and men respectively. Requesting a female provider was associated with an 80.2% attendance rate while those indicating no gender preference demonstrated a 67.6% attendance rate. This comparison was statistically significant though the magnitude of the effect was small. Incorporation of a screener for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms from a screener did not significantly improve the models or interact with gender and provider preferences.The findings of this study clarify gender preferences among those articulating a desire for MST-related care and that articulating a provider gender preference, rather than patient gender, is associated with improved chance of attending scheduled follow-up care. These findings have important policy and clinical implications for the potential role of veteran preference in augmenting liaison to care.

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“…Male victims had more symptoms of PTSD than female victims and their symptoms persisted for longer periods (Gaher et al, 2016 : 55–62). Indeed, one of the explanations for the fact that abused service men reported higher levels of personal impairment than their female counterparts is because abused servicemen have to deal with additional issues of masculinity and sexual orientation (that is, the idea that men who are raped are homosexual) (Elder et al, 2017b : 59–66 and Juan et al, 2017 : 243–50). Of course, pervasive homophobia in American society means that civilian men who are sexually abused also struggle with issues of sexual identity.…”

Section: Low Reportagementioning

confidence: 99%

“…High levels of shame meant that male victim-survivors are even more likely than their female counterparts to delay seeking treatment and, when in treatment, often conceal the reasons for their trauma (Elder et al, 2017b : 60). Indeed, one study revealed that servicemen in treatment for Military Sexual Trauma often told others that their trauma was combat-related (O’Brien et al, 2015 : 360).…”

Section: Low Reportagementioning

confidence: 99%

Military Sexual Trauma: Gender, Military Cultures, and the Medicalization of Abuse in Contemporary America

Bourke

2021

Journal of War & Culture Studies

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Sexual violence is a serious problem within armed services. This article explores intra-service rape in branches of the U.S. military from the 1990s to the present. The article begins by establishing the parameters of the crisis of sexual abuse within the U.S. armed services. Second, it explores systematic failures to recognize forms of suffering. Victim-survivors in the military are vulnerable to military-specific obstacles to reporting their abuse and being believed. Attention is paid to differences by gender and sexual orientation. Third, it analyses the medicalization of suffering in the modern military and its effects. What meanings are assigned to ‘military sexual trauma' (MST) and how has that label affected victim-survivors of rape or sexual assault? The article concludes by arguing that the concept of ‘trauma’ as it is applied to victims of sexual abuse does a formidable amount of political and ideological work.

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Conceptual model of male military sexual trauma.

Cited by 9 publications

References 41 publications

The phenomenology of military sexual trauma among male veterans.

The phenomenology of military sexual trauma among male veterans.

Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Preferences for Provider Gender and Associations with Mental Health Evaluation Attendance

Military Sexual Trauma: Gender, Military Cultures, and the Medicalization of Abuse in Contemporary America

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