Childhood Sexual Abuse and Military Sexual Trauma Interact to Increase Suicide Risk: Results from a Nationally Representative Veteran Sample. Issue 5 (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holliday, Ryan; Nichter, Brandon; Holder, Nicholas; Hill, Melanie L.; Monteith, Lindsey L.; Norman, Sonya B.; Pietrzak, Robert H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of interpersonal violence. Volume 38:Issue 5/6(2023)
• Page Start: 5354
• Page End: 5369
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: childhood sexual abuse -- military sexual trauma -- veteran -- suicidal ideation -- suicide attempt; Violence -- Periodicals; Sex crimes -- Periodicals; Violence -- Périodiques; Crimes sexuels -- Périodiques; 364.15
• DOI: 10.1177/08862605221120909
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0886-2605

Abstract

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and military sexual trauma (MST) are prevalent among veterans. Such exposures are associated with adverse mental-health sequelae, including elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Nonetheless, prior studies have largely focused upon discrete experiences of CSA or MST in circumscribed samples. In the current study, we analyzed data from a large, nationally representative sample of 4, 069 US military veterans to examine main and interactive effects of CSA and MST in relation to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. After accounting for sociodemographics, psychiatric comorbidity, and trauma-related characteristics, we detected a significant interaction between MST and CSA as it related to report of past-year suicidal ideation, lifetime suicide attempt, and risk for future suicide attempt. These findings underscore the impact of sexual trauma throughout the lifespan, highlighting the continued importance of screening for trauma exposure and connecting veterans to appropriate, evidence-based treatment to decrease their risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.