The phenomenology of military sexual trauma among male veterans.

Abstract

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.

The Phenomenology of Military Sexual Trauma Among Women Veterans

“…We also suggest continued research on the distinct experiences of MST that are influenced by the survivor’s gender identity. We analyzed our cisgender male and female samples separately, and the results regarding veteran men are reported elsewhere (Monteith, Gerber, et al, 2018). Our findings from these multiple reports suggest that the experience of MST in women shares some similarities, and some different characteristics and outcomes, compared to those of men.…”

“…Individuals were ineligible if unable to respond to questions regarding informed consent, currently experiencing highly severe psychiatric symptoms (e.g., active psychosis, mania, or acute suicidal intent) or significant cognitive impairment that would preclude participation, or if a licensed clinician on the research team otherwise determined that participating would be harmful to the individual. We enrolled all genders in this study (see Monteith, Gerber, Brownstone, Soberay, & Bahraini, 2018 for phenomenological findings with the cisgender male sample) but analyzed cisgender male and cisgender female samples separately. In this article, we focus exclusively on the cisgender female sample.…”

Male and LGBT survivors of sexual violence in conflict situations: a realist review of health interventions in low-and middle-income countries

“…The literature on male and LGBT survivors suggests that the recognition of sexual abuse as a social problem has a different rationale for male and female survivors. Specific gender differences that hinder disclosure among men are related to confusion, guilt or selfblame around their sexuality [71,72]. Male survivors of CRSV often have specific misconceptions about male sexual violence, which can contribute to their anxiety and increase the barriers to reporting [73].…”

Institutional betrayal following military sexual trauma is associated with more severe depression and specific posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters

“…Individuals who must continue to be in situations or contexts with the perpetrator and/or institution may be particularly susceptible to betrayal blindness—the tendency to minimize or ignore information in order to preserve the relationship with the institution as a means of survival (Freyd, , ); this may facilitate continuing to be identified with the institution. It is also possible that individuals who experienced institutional betrayal following MST felt compelled or opted to discharge from the military (Katz, Huffman, & Cojucar, ; Monteith, Gerber, Brownstone, Soberay, & Bahraini, ; Morral et al, ; Wolff & Mills, ), potentially due to perceptions that the military failed to protect them from the sexual trauma or did not promote a supportive and safe environment.…”