Citation

Yalch MM, Hebenstreit CL, Maguen S. Addict. Behav. 2017; 80: 28-33.

Affiliation

San Francisco VA Health Care System, United States; University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, United States.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.12.026

PMID

29310004

Abstract

Servicewomen exposed to traumatic stressors over the course of their military service are at increased risk of developing symptoms of substance use disorder (SUD) and posttraumatic stress (PTS). They are also at risk for exposure to military sexual assault (MSA), which is also associated with SUD and PTS symptomology. Research is unclear about the incremental contributions of different forms of traumatic stressors on co-occurring SUD and PTS symptomology. In this study we examined the independent and combined effects of MSA and other military stressors on SUD and PTS symptomology in a sample of female veterans (N=407).

RESULTS indicate that MSA and other military stressors exhibit incremental effects on SUD and PTS symptomology.

RESULTS further suggest that women exposed to both MSA and other military stressors are at increased risk for developing co-occurring SUD and PTSD. These findings extend previous research on comorbid SUD and PTSD, highlighting the cumulative effects of traumatic stressors on posttraumatic psychopathology, and have implications for future research and clinical practice with female veterans.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

MST; Military sexual assault; PTSD; Substance use; Veteran