Relation between sexual and gender minority status and suicide attempts among veterans seeking treatment for military sexual trauma.

Abstract

There is limited study of suicidal behaviors among veterans identifying as sexual and gender minorities (SGMs), despite previous research indicating rates of suicide attempts are high within civilian SGM populations. Further, some research incorporating military service members suggests those identifying as SGMs are disproportionately exposed to military sexual trauma (MST), an additional risk factor for negative psychiatric sequelae. To address health care research disparities among minority veterans (i.e., women, those endorsing MST, SGMs), we examined presentations of veterans (N = 277) who attended initial consultation appointments for MST-related treatment and completed a semistructured clinical interview including demographic characteristics, history of suicide attempts (HSA), and a diagnostic evaluation. Twenty-eight (10.1%) veterans identified as SGMs. SGM/non-SGM groups were contrasted on suicidal and psychiatric morbidity outcomes. Overall, endorsement of HSA was high (30.7%). Despite similar clinical profiles, 53.6% of veterans who identified as SGM endorsed HSA in contrast with 28.1% of peers identifying as heterosexual and nontransgender, a significant effect of small-to-moderate size. Findings suggest assessment and clinical management of suicidality is of critical importance for clinicians providing services to veterans pursuing recovery from MST, generally, and may be especially so when delivering care to SGM. Further, results underscore the need for culturally competent delivery of trauma-focused interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record

Variation in Sexual Orientation Documentation in a National Electronic Health Record System

“…For example, Sexton et al reported higher rates of suicide attempts among SM Veterans who experienced MST compared with non-SM Veterans with MST. 41 In our study, SM women were twice as likely to report MST than non-SM women Veterans (43% vs. 21%), which aligns with prior VHA survey research from 2013 (31% vs. 13%). 42 The low occurrence of SM documentation in primary care settings is concerning but coincides with recent research outside the VHA.…”

Military Sexual Trauma and Risky Behaviors: A Systematic Review

“…Furthermore, only two studies examined these relations among transgender veterans (Beckman et al, 2018; Brown & Jones, 2015). More research is needed to examine MST across diverse military groups, especially considering that MST-exposed veterans from marginalized groups may be at greater risk of certain risky behaviors (i.e., suicide; Sexton et al, 2018). Thus, more research is needed to examine the associations of MST and risky behaviors among diverse military groups to better inform prevention and treatment efforts.…”

Psychiatric and Interpersonal Correlates of Suicide Ideation in Military Sexual Trauma Survivors: The National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

“… 6 In addition, recent findings suggest that MST survivors who identify as a sexual and/or gender minority are more likely to report a history of suicide attempt than non-gender/sexual minority MST survivors. 55 As such, it will be important for future research to extrapolate the role of gender and to consider a non-gender binary lens, as well as sexual orientation, in these associations. Moreover, understanding more about veterans’ experiences disclosing their worst traumatic events and the actual responses to such disclosures is essential.…”