Impact of Deployment-Related Sexual Stressors on Psychiatric Symptoms After Accounting for Predeployment Stressors: Findings From a U.S. National Guard Cohort

Inconsistent Reporting of Adverse Life Events Is Predicted by Current Internalizing Distress Among Military Service Members

INTRODUCTION

Accurate measurement of adverse life events is critical for understanding the effects of stressors on health outcomes. However, much of this research uses cross-sectional designs and self-report years after the events take place. The reliability of this retrospective reporting and the individual difference factors associated with inconsistent recall over time are not frequently addressed, especially among military service members.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A longitudinal cohort of National Guard service members (n = 801) completed the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory-2 Prior Stressors scale and several measures of general well-being, including anxious depressive symptomatology, personal functioning, perceived social support, and overall health at two time points (before and after completion of basic combat training; median 11-month interval).

RESULTS

Consistency in reporting the life event items ranged from 69.5% to 99.7%, with an overall Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.215 for the scale, indicating minimal agreement. Lower well-being scores at Time 1 independently predicted yes-to-no changes in responding, whereas lower well-being scores at Time 2 independently predicted no-to-yes changes in responding. Follow-up mediations were conducted using study measures available only at Time 2. For all study measures, Time 2 well-being independently predicted changes from no-to-yes responding by way of indirect effects through self-reported non-specific internalizing distress and arousal.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the confounding effects of fluctuations in current emotional distress on past stressor recall. There is a need for additional caution regarding the use of retrospective self-report of adverse life events in research and clinical practice and greater consideration of current psychological distress at the time of measurement completion.

Systematic Review of Policies and Interventions to Prevent Sexual Harassment in the Workplace in Order to Prevent Depression

BACKGROUND

Sexual harassment in the workplace (SHWP) is highly prevalent and has a negative impact, including depression, on its victims, as well as a negative economic impact resulting from absenteeism and low productivity at work. This paper aims to outline the available evidence regarding the prevention of depressive symptoms among workers through policies and interventions that are effective in preventing SHWP.

METHODS

We conducted two systematic reviews. The first focused on the association of depression and SHWP, and the second on policies and interventions to prevent SHWP. We conducted a meta-analysis and a narrative synthesis, respectively. We identified 1831 and 6107 articles for the first and second review. After screening, 24 and 16 articles were included, respectively.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis results show a prevalence of depression of 26%, as well as a 2.69 increased risk of depression among workers who experience SHWP. Variables such as number of harassment experiences and exposure to harassment from coworkers and other people increase this risk.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of policies and training to prevent SHWP, mostly focused on improvements in workers' knowledge and attitudes about SHWP. However, there is no available evidence regarding its potential impact on preventing depression.

The Prevalence of Military Sexual Trauma: A Meta-Analysis

Due to methodological heterogeneity, the exact prevalence of military sexual trauma (MST) is unknown. To elucidate our understanding of the pervasiveness of this important social issue, a meta-analysis was conducted. A computerized database search in PsycINFO, PubMed, and PILOTS revealed 584 unique citations for review. Of these identified studies, 69 met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. The results revealed that 15.7% of military personnel and veterans report MST (3.9% of men, 38.4% of women) when the measure includes both harassment and assault. Additionally, 13.9% report MST (1.9% of men, 23.6% of women) when the measure assesses only assault and 31.2% report MST (8.9% of men, 52.5% of women) when the measure assesses only harassment. Regardless of the type of victimization incident (i.e., harassment or assault), women evidenced significantly larger prevalence rates compared to men. Self-report measure and interviews were associated with higher prevalence rates than the review of veterans affair (VA) medical records when measuring both harassment and assault and only harassment. No significant differences were observed among prevalence rates based on VA, non-VA, or both VA and non-VA recruitment. Ultimately, the findings suggest that MST is a pervasive problem, among both men and women in the military, highlighting the importance of this line of research.

Deployment-Related Military Sexual Trauma Predicts Heavy Drinking and Alcohol Problems Among Male Reserve and National Guard Soldiers

BACKGROUND

Military sexual trauma (MST) is associated with a range of deleterious mental and physical health consequences; however, far less attention has been paid to the associations between MST and negative health behaviors, such as substance abuse. This study examined 2 focal research questions: (i) What is the prevalence of experiencing MST during deployment among male Reserve and National Guard soldiers? and (ii) to what extent is the degree of MST exposure during deployment associated with frequent heavy drinking and alcohol problems postdeployment?

METHODS

Data from male soldiers who had been deployed (N = 248) were drawn from the baseline wave of Operation: SAFETY (Soldiers And Families Excelling Through the Years) an ongoing study examining health among U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard and their partners. Participants were recruited over a 15-month period (Summer 2014 to Fall 2015) from units in New York State. Deployments occurred prior to the baseline wave of the study. Analyses examined the relation between degree of MST exposure during soldiers' most recent deployment and (i) frequent heavy drinking and (ii) alcohol problems, measured at baseline, controlling for posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and age.

RESULTS

17.3% of the male service members reported experiencing MST during their most recent deployment. Further, greater MST exposure was associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in frequent heavy drinking (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = 1.03, 95% CI [1.01, 1.05]) and experiencing alcohol problems (aRR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.01, 1.06]) at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings demonstrate that MST rates are high among male Reserve and National Guard soldiers, and greater MST exposure is associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in frequent heavy drinking and experiencing alcohol problems among a population already at risk for problematic alcohol use.