The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43167

Carol B. Cunradi, MPH, PhD, Genevieve M. Ames, PhD, and Roland S. Moore, PhD. Prevention Research Center, 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 900, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510-486-1111, cunradi@prev.org

Previous research suggests that military personnel may have higher age-adjusted rates of interpersonal violence compared to civilians. The purpose of this study is to estimate rates of interpersonal violence in a military cohort, and to examine its correlates. The sample consists of 865 male and 272 female junior Naval personnel who are participants in a longitudinal study on health-related behaviors. Survey data were obtained during 2000 about lifetime prevalence of emotional or physical abuse, past-year physical abuse, past-year forced sexual activities, and physical "hazing" inside the Navy. Chi-square tests of independence and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to estimate prevalence rates and to assess correlates of interpersonal violence. Women had significantly higher rates of lifetime emotional or physical abuse than men (33.5% vs. 11.3%; c²=69.98, p<.001). Among men and women, there were no significant differences in rates of past-year physical abuse (9.8% vs. 13.3%) or forced sexual activities (2.8% vs. 4.2%). Rates of physical "hazing" inside the Navy were significantly higher among men than women (14.3% vs. 4.5%; c²=18.55, p<.001). For both genders, significant correlates of lifetime emotional or physical abuse include family history of alcoholism and screening positively for depression. Past-year physical abuse was associated with heavy drinking and past unintended pregnancy. Compared to men of officer rank, men of enlisted rank are at greater risk for Navy "hazing." These findings suggest that interpersonal violence affects large numbers of young military personnel. Adequate screening, treatment and prevention programs are needed to address this issue.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
• recognize that the prevalence of interpersonal violence affects large numbers of young men and women in the military;
• identify the factors associated with interpersonal violence in a military cohort; and
• describe the type of screening, treatment and prevention programs needed to address this issue.

Keywords: Violence, Worksite

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.