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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jaimie L. Gradus, MPH¹, Amy E. Street, PhD¹, Jane Stafford, PhD², and Kacie A. Kelly, MHS¹. (1) National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, VA Boston Healthcare System, 150 S. Huntington Ave, 116B-3, Boston, MA 02130, 857-364-6688, jaimie.gradus@va.gov, (2) Psychology Department, University of South Carolina Aiken, 471 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801

Sexual trauma in the military has been identified as a significant public health concern, partly due to the number of negative mental health outcomes that demonstrate associations with these experiences (Wolfe J, et al 1998; Skinner KM, et al 2000). Studies suggest that alcohol use is associated with sexual harassment for both males and females (Richman JA, et al 1999; Richman JA, et al 1996). In the current investigation, a random sample of former members of all seven components of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces were surveyed by phone (N=3,756). Preliminary analyses revealed significant differences for men and women regarding amount of sexual harassment experienced (endorsed on the SEQ) with means of 2.3 and 10.5, respectively (p < .001). Additional analyses revealed significant differences in alcohol use between men and women (endorsed by the AUDIT) with means of 3.8 and 2.1, respectively (p < .001). Logistic regression was used to predict harmful drinking (a score of 8 or more on the AUDIT) from the presence of sexual trauma symptoms, gender and the interaction between sexual harassment and gender, controlling for depression symptoms (endorsed on the CES-D), age and race. The interaction between gender and SEQ score was significant (b = 0.53, p = .05) controlling for all other variables in the model. Further analyses revealed sexual harassment is a significant predictor of harmful drinking for females (b = 0.57, p < .01) but not for males (b = 0.06, ns). Implications for future research will be discussed.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize sexual harassment in the military as a public health concern
• Discuss the role of gender in sexual harassment in the military
• Describe the role of gender in alcohol use

Keywords: Mental Illness, Sexual Assault

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered