In Their Own Words: Women Veterans Identify the Personal Consequences of Military Sexual Trauma Victimization.

This qualitative study provides a platform for women veterans to inform our perspective of their experienced impacts following military sexual trauma (MST). We engaged 23 women veterans in semistructured interviews and used a grounded theory-informed thematic analytic approach, to interpret women's experiences. Women described negative impacts of their MST experiences across psychological, behavioral, and occupational domains. Less frequently, women discussed experiences of posttraumatic growth. These results aid our understanding of the complexities of women's posttrauma experiences and suggest that holistic intervention frameworks focused on a range of potential intervention targets are warranted in helping women veterans recover from MST.

Veterans' perspectives on military sexual trauma-related communication with VHA providers.

Given the number of veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) and the impact of these experiences on veteran health, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) providers frequently communicate with patients about these experiences, either as part of the VHA's universal MST screening program or more comprehensive clinical care. The purpose of this study was to understand veterans' perceptions of communication related to MST disclosures with VHA providers. We conducted qualitative interviews, including a numeric rating question, with 55 veterans whose medical records indicated recent MST-related interactions with VHA providers. The sample included men and women, with and without histories of MST. We analyzed interview transcripts using matrices and identified themes related to satisfaction with communication. Veterans from all groups reported generally high satisfaction with MST-related communication, although men, as a group, reported a much larger range of satisfaction ratings than women. Key provider-related indicators of satisfaction included providers' communication mechanics and nonspecific patient-centered skills and characteristics. One patient-related indicator of lower satisfaction-inherent discomfort discussing MST experiences-was particularly represented among men with MST histories. These data from veteran patients will be reassuring to providers whose concerns about patient reactions to these conversations may inhibit them from raising this important issue. Understanding variables that promote patient satisfaction with MST disclosure communication is critical for promoting sensitive patient-provider interactions about MST. This ultimately can have important downstream effects on veteran health, allowing veterans to forge satisfying relationships with providers and ultimately facilitate recovery from traumatic experiences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Gender Differences in Outcomes after Traumatic Brain Injury among Service Members and Veterans.

This scoping study describes the range of outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI) studies of military service members and veterans addressing gender differences. A secondary purpose is to identify differences in outcomes between male and female participants in such studies. We searched PubMed, CiNAHL, and PsycInfo databases for relevant articles. Two reviewers independently screened results. Of 822 unique titles and abstracts screened for eligibility, 55 full articles were reviewed, with 29 studies meeting full inclusion criteria. Twenty of the 29 included studies used retrospective designs and all but two used data collected from Veterans Affairs or Department of Defense health care settings. TBI was diagnosed by self-report, screening, and evaluation procedures, and medical record documentation. Ten different outcome categories were identified among the included studies. In general, female service members and veterans have not been well represented in TBI outcomes research. Evidence suggests that female veterans with mild TBI (mTBI) report more neurobehavioral symptoms and use more outpatient services than male veterans. Studies also indicate that female veterans with TBI are more frequently diagnosed with depression. Additional research is essential to support precision treatment recommendations for female veterans with TBI, as women represent a growing proportion of the patients served by the Veterans Health Administration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The associations between deployment experiences, PTSD, and alcohol use among male and female veterans.

OVERVIEW: Alcohol use is common following traumatic military deployment experiences. What is less clear is why, and for whom, particular deployment experiences lead to alcohol use. METHOD: The current study explored associations between deployment stressors (Warfare, Military Sexual Trauma, and Concerns about Life and Family Disruptions-"Life Disruptions"), PTSD (PCL-5), and alcohol use (CAGE) post-deployment, stratified by gender among 2344 male and female veterans (1137 men; Mage = 35). Conditional process analyses examined the indirect effect of traumatic deployment experiences on alcohol use, via PTSD symptom severity, with Life Disruptions as a moderator. RESULTS: More severe Warfare and military sexual trauma (MST) were associated with greater PTSD symptom severity, which was associated with higher problematic alcohol use. PTSD symptom severity accounted for the associations between trauma type (i.e., MST or Warfare) and alcohol use. Among women, but not men, Life Disruptions moderated the associations between trauma type (i.e., MST, Warfare) and PTSD symptom severity, such that elevated Life Disruptions amplified the associations between trauma type and PTSD symptom severity. Moderated mediation was significant for MST among women, indicating that the strength of the indirect effect (MST ➔ PTSD ➔ problematic alcohol use) was moderated by Life Disruptions; problematic alcohol use was highest for women with greater PTSD symptom severity following exposure to more severe Life Disruptions and MST (Est. = 0.0007, SE = 0.0001, CI = 0.0002 to 0.0013). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, alcohol use following potentially traumatic deployment experiences can be understood by considering PTSD symptom severity, gender, and Life Disruptions.

Combinations of obesity prevention strategies in US elementary schools: a critical review.

The prevalence of obesity among children has roughly tripled in the past 30 years. Given the numerous health risks associated with obesity, elementary schools have implemented a variety of prevention programs targeting this problem. This review examines recent studies of combinations of obesity prevention programs in US elementary schools and offers recommendations about effective strategies. We found 12 studies that met selection criteria and reviewed their findings related to obesity-related outcomes. Among the single intervention strategies, neither physical activity nor education alone demonstrated efficacy in reducing objective measures of obesity. Most studies of programs with two or three components (i.e., physical activity plus nutrition, physical activity plus both education and nutrition) reported statistically significant improvements in objective obesity-related outcomes. Studies evaluating programs with community and parental involvement suggest that these components may increase effectiveness. However, studies assessing outcomes following the cessation of the program showed a reversal of positive effects, suggesting that long-term implementation of programs is important for sustained gains. Results suggest that combinations of obesity prevention programs sustained over time are most likely to be effective.