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Meaningful military engagement among male and female post‐9/11 veterans: An examination of correlates and implications for resilience
Author(s) -
FinkelsteinFox Lucy,
Sinnott Sinead M.,
Lee Sharon Y.,
Carney Lauren M.,
Park Crystal L.,
Mazure Carolyn M.,
Hoff Rani
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.23150
Subject(s) - stressor , harassment , military personnel , psychology , clinical psychology , depression (economics) , military deployment , distress , psychological resilience , posttraumatic stress , psychological distress , psychiatry , mental health , social psychology , political science , law , economics , macroeconomics
Objective Post‐9/11 military deployment is commonly reported as stressful and is often followed by psychological distress after returning home. Yet veterans also frequently report experiencing meaningful military engagement (MME) that may buffer detrimental effects of military stressors. Focusing on the under‐investigated topic of association of MME with post‐deployment psychological adjustment, this study tests gender differences in MME and post‐deployment outcomes. Method This cross‐sectional study examined the relationship of MME with deployment stressors, subsequent psychological distress (posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and depression), and gender among 850 recent‐era U.S. veterans (41.4% female). Results On average, both male and female veterans reported high MME. Greater MME was associated with less PTSS and depression following combat and general harassment, and more depression after sexual harassment. For men only, MME associated with less PTSS after sexual harassment. Conclusions MME is high among post‐9/11 veterans, but its stress‐buffering effects depend on gender and specific stressor exposure.