Open AccessAn Overview of Sexual Trauma in the U.S. Military
Author(s) -
Ashton M. Lofgreen,
Kathryn K. Carroll,
Sheila A. Dugan,
Niranjan S. Karnik
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
focus/focus (american psychiatric publishing. online)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1541-4108
pISSN - 1541-4094
DOI - 10.1176/appi.focus.20170024
Subject(s) - transgender , lesbian , mental health , scope (computer science) , psychology , population , military personnel , psychiatry , sexual violence , psychotherapist , homosexuality , reproductive health , medicine , clinical psychology , criminology , political science , psychoanalysis , environmental health , computer science , law , programming language
This article discusses the scope and impact of military sexual trauma (MST) in the U.S. Armed Forces. The authors explore aspects of the military setting that may make recovery from this form of sexual violence particularly difficult. Risk factors for MST as well as associated mental, physical, sexual, and relational health consequences are reviewed. The authors also introduce clinical issues unique to male and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) survivors. Finally, first-line psychotherapies and pharmacotherapies for subsequent mental health difficulties are reviewed, as are strategies for reducing barriers to health care for this population.