Military sexual trauma in the United States: Results from a population-based study

The reported prevalence of military sexual trauma (MST) has increased over the past decades in the United States, yet scarce population-based studies have examined the prevalence, correlates, and health burden of MST in the general veteran population. Data were from the 2019–2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a population-based survey of veterans (n = 4069). Analyses: (1) estimated the prevalence of MST; (2) identified sex-stratified sociodemographic, military, and trauma characteristics associated with MST; and (3) examined sex-stratified associations between MST and psychiatric comorbidities, functioning, disability, and treatment utilization. Female veterans reported substantially higher rates of MST (44.2%) than male veterans (3.5%). Relative to male veterans without MST histories, male veterans with MST histories had nearly 3-fold increased odds of reporting future suicidal intent, 2-to-3-fold greater odds of screening positive for current posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and generalized anxiety disorder; and nearly 2-fold increased odds of being disabled. Male veterans with MST histories also scored lower on mental, physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning (d's = 0.16–0.29). Relative to female veterans without MST histories, female veterans with MST histories had 5-fold greater odds of current PTSD, 2-fold greater odds of engaging in mental health treatment, and scored lower on psychosocial functioning and higher on somatic symptoms (both d's = 0.25). Cross-sectional design precludes causal inference. A substantial proportion of veterans in the U.S. experience sexual trauma during their military service, and these experiences are associated with an elevated health burden. •The prevalence of MST among female and male veterans was 44.2% and 3.5%.•History of MST was associated with elevated health burden and suicide risk.•Males with MST histories were no more likely to engage in mental health treatment.