Prevalence of depressive and alcohol abuse symptoms among women VA outpatients who report experiencing sexual assault while in the military
Corresponding Author
Cheryl S. Hankin
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes, and Economic Research, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 and Center for Health Care Evaluation, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94303
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
HSR&D, VA Medical Center (152), 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94303Search for more papers by this authorKatherine M. Skinner
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes, and Economic Research, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 and Center for Health Care Evaluation, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94303
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Search for more papers by this authorLisa M. Sullivan
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Search for more papers by this authorDonald R. Miller
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes, and Economic Research, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 and Center for Health Care Evaluation, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94303
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Search for more papers by this authorSusan Frayne
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Boston VA Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02130
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Cheryl S. Hankin
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes, and Economic Research, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 and Center for Health Care Evaluation, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94303
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
HSR&D, VA Medical Center (152), 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94303Search for more papers by this authorKatherine M. Skinner
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes, and Economic Research, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 and Center for Health Care Evaluation, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94303
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Search for more papers by this authorLisa M. Sullivan
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Search for more papers by this authorDonald R. Miller
Center for Health Quality, Outcomes, and Economic Research, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Bedford VA Medical Center, Bedford, Massachusetts 01730 and Center for Health Care Evaluation, Health Services Research and Development Field Program, Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, California 94303
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Search for more papers by this authorSusan Frayne
Boston University Schools of Public Health and Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118
Boston VA Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02130
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Among a national sample of 3,632 women VA outpatients, we determined self-reported prevalence of sexual assault experienced during military service and compared screening prevalence for current symptoms of depression and alcohol abuse between those who did and did not report this history. Data were obtained by mailed questionnaire. Military-related sexual assault was reported by 23%. Screening prevalence for symptoms of current depression was 3 times higher and for current alcohol abuse was 2 times higher among those who reported experiencing military-related sexual assault. Recent mental health treatment was reported by 50% of those who reported experiencing sexual assault during military service and screened positive for symptoms of depression, and by 40% of those who screened positive for symptoms of alcohol abuse.
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