Military Sexual Trauma Research: A Proposed Agenda

Abstract

Military sexual trauma (MST) is a widespread problem associated with negative psychological and physical health problems. This article presents the current state of MST research and highlights specific areas in need of more focused study. Areas that have produced the greatest body of knowledge include MST prevalence and psychological and physical health correlates. We propose a research agenda based on gaps noted in our research review and empirical and theoretical evidence of issues relevant to but not studied directly in MST populations. We present evidence that MST is qualitatively distinct from other forms of sexual maltreatment in terms of its relational and vocational context as well as the severity of associated psychological distress, examine underexplored gender and sexual issues in MST, and discuss the lack of treatment and prevention studies specific to MST. Specific recommendations are made throughout in an attempt to guide and advance the field.

Keywords:

• military sexual trauma
• veterans
• posttraumatic stress disorder
• interpersonal trauma
• gender
• treatment outcome

Acknowledgments

Research was conducted at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and University of California, San Diego.

This material is the result of work supported with resources and the use of facilities at the VA San Diego Healthcare Center. No part of this article has been presented or published elsewhere. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs or the United States government. The authors declare no conflicts of interest or financial relationships related to this research.