Other Invisible Wounds: Sexual Functioning in Military Service Members and Veterans

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is an important public health concern that is critical to military service members and veterans. Sexual functioning can be impaired by physical, psychological, and social factors and can subsequently further impact these factors. This study focuses on SD resulting from military-related physical injury, psychological injury, and social factors, and the resulting impact on quality of life (QOL). In the general population, issues related to SD typically occur in those over age 40, whereas in military populations, SD occurs in those in their early 20s. Challenges with SD earlier in life may reduce QOL of life. To improve assessment and treatment of SD, behavioral health providers (BHPs) who work with military populations need to have an awareness and understanding of SD in military populations.

It is estimated that between 5% and 25% of the recent generation of veterans has some type of SD. The extent of SD within military populations is unclear due to a dearth of research focusing on SD in military populations; however, it is likely that the actual rate of SD is higher than that of the general population. Intimate relationship issues may significantly impact individual readiness, or the overall preparedness to complete a military mission. SD is associated with a poor quality of life for both men and women, and is detrimental to intimate relationships.

This study presents data on a sample of approximately 400 male military service members and veterans under 40 years of age. This study provides a scope of the problem of sexual dysfunction in military populations and provides a preliminary map of the etiological basis of sexual dysfunction in military populations (e.g., posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, social relationships, marital satisfaction, combat exposure, physical injury). The results of this study aim to improve knowledge and awareness of SD in military populations.