Journal article
Health-related consequences of physical and sexual violence: women in the military
Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953), Vol.96(3), pp.473-480
2000
DOI: 10.1016/S0029-7844(00)00919-4
PMID: 10960645
Abstract
Objectives: To identify differences in health-related quality of life among women veterans who were raped, physically assaulted (not in the context of rape or domestic violence), both, or neither during military service.
Methods: We did a cross-sectional telephone survey of a national sample of 558 women veterans who served in Vietnam and subsequent eras of military service. A stratified survey design selected subjects according to era of service and location. The interview included socioeconomic information, lifetime violence history, the Women’s Military Environment Survey to assess women’s military experiences, and the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 to assess health-related quality of life.
Results: Five hundred thirty-seven women completed the interview. Half (48%) experienced violence during military service, including rape (30%), physical assault (35%), or both (16%). Women who were raped or dually victimized were more likely to report chronic health problems, prescription medication use for emotional problems, failure to complete college, and annual incomes less than $25,000 (
P < .05). Women who were physically assaulted or raped reported significantly lower health-related quality of life (
P < .05). Those who had both traumas reported the most severe impairment, comparable to women with chronic illnesses.
Conclusion: This study suggests that the sequelae of violence against women are an important public health concern. More than a decade after rape or physical assault during military service, women reported severely decreased health-related quality of life, with limitations of physical and emotional health, educational and financial attainment, and severe, recurrent problems with work and social activities.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Health-related consequences of physical and sexual violence: women in the military
- Creators
- Anne G Sadler - The Iowa City Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USABrenda M Booth - The HSR&D Field Program for Mental Health Research, , Little Rock, Arkansas, USADeanna Nielson - The Iowa City Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USABradley N Doebbeling - Department of Psychiatry, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Obstetrics and gynecology (New York. 1953), Vol.96(3), pp.473-480
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0029-7844(00)00919-4
- PMID
- 10960645
- NLM abbreviation
- Obstet Gynecol
- ISSN
- 0029-7844
- eISSN
- 1873-233X
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2000
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984003946302771
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