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Trauma experiences and posttraumatic stress disorder among women in the United States military
- Authors:
- CHAUMBA Josphine, BRIDE Brian E.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 8(3), May 2010, pp.280-303.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Nearly 8% of Americans will experience post traumatic stress disorder as some point in their lives, with women twice as likely as men. For those serving in the military, the rate is 30%. With the growing number and expanding roles of women in the military, the negative effect of military trauma make their mental health a priority. This paper examines literature on military trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, and the provision of mental health services among females in the United States military. Common themes in the literature suggest that female military personnel experience three main types of trauma: combat trauma, including witnessing death or serious injury; sexual trauma referring to both sexual assault and harassment; and environment-induced trauma resulting from over-exposure to extreme conditions such as heat, extreme living conditions and infectious diseases. In addition, they have increased risks of developing post traumatic stress disorder. Although gender-sensitive services that address trauma among military women have grown, post traumatic stress disorder remains under-diagnosed and undertreated among female veterans. Implications for social work practice are also discussed.