Women Veterans Research Articles

VETERANS VOICES: ACCEPTABILITY AND ENRICHING THE GEROFIT TO HOME EXPERIENCE FOR OLDER VETERANS

Abstract The pandemic helped us overcome many of the barriers we had struggled with for group based exercise. Within six weeks, all of our sites had transitioned to group-based virtual classes, aptly called Gerofit to Home (GTH). Because of the rapid and continuously evolving changes in telehealth, we had near daily Veteran feedback on what was working and what was not working. Part of this planning included retaining a smaller group of Veterans on a regular basis who would serve as an ongoing Gerofit Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP). The VAP is a racially and geographically diverse group of 12 men and women Veterans from 7 different sites, with varying levels and duration of participation in Gerofit (some exclusively remote, some in-person then transition to remote with the pandemic). This presentation will feature a moderated discussion with VAP representatives, summarizing the perspectives provided on Veteran preferences, needs, and motivators to engage in GTH.

Breast Cancer and Women Veterans: What Is the Impact of Mental Health on Screening Rates?

Background: The proportion of women Veterans are increasing and, as such, access to high-quality breast cancer care is important. Prior studies have shown that rural location, age, and a mental health diagnosis negatively impact breast cancer screening rates. Methods: We aimed to retrospectively assess the impact of these risk factors on breast cancer screening adherence rates among Veterans at our institution. Women who were eligible for breast cancer screening per the United States Preventative Services Taskforce guidelines were included. Results: Of 2321 women, overall adherence was 78.2%. There were no significant differences in screening rates between races, various age groups, geographical distribution, and having anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, Veterans with a diagnosis of depression were more likely to adhere to screening guidelines. Having multiple mental health diagnoses was also not a negative risk factor. Conclusions: Our Veteran population's adherence rates are higher than the national average and rural location, race, age, and certain mental health disorders did not negatively affect adherence to screening mammography. Though more research is needed, screening reminders from our women's health coordinator may have improved adherence rates and lowered disparities.

Identifying gaps in clinical evaluation and treatment of sleep-disordered breathing in women veterans.

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a common sleep disorder in veterans; however, limited research exists in women veterans. We sought to estimate patterns of care in terms of evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment among women veterans with factors associated with elevated SDB risk. Within one VA healthcare system, women identified through electronic health record data as having one or more factors (e.g., age >50 years, hypertension) associated with SDB, completed telephone screening in preparation for an SDB treatment study and answered questions about prior care related to SDB diagnosis and treatment. Of 319 women, 111 (35%) reported having completed a diagnostic sleep study in the past, of whom 48 (43%) were diagnosed with SDB. Women who completed a diagnostic study were more likely to have hypertension or obesity. Those who were diagnosed with SDB based on the sleepstudy were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, or be ≥50 years old. Of the 40 women who received treatment, 37 (93%) received positive airway pressure therapy. Only 9 (24%) had used positive airway pressure therapy in the prior week. Few women received other treatments such as oral appliances or surgery. Findings support the need for increased attention to identification and management of SDB in women veterans, especially those with conditions associated with elevated SDB risk.

Post-9/11 deployment history and the incidence of breast cancer among women veterans

To determine if women Veterans who deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) would show a greater likelihood of breast cancer (BC) than other women Veterans. This was a retrospective cohort study of women aged <60 years who received Veterans Affairs medical center primary care, 2001-2021. The exposure was OEF/OIF deployment and the outcome was a BC diagnosis after entering Veterans Affairs care. Poisson models evaluated the association between deployment and BC incidence, covarying demographics, lifestyle factors, and hormonal contraceptive and hormone replacement therapy use. Analyses were also stratified by age and race, and a sensitivity analysis adjusted for healthcare utilization over the initial 2 years. Of 576,601 women, 24.6% (n=141,935) deployed during post-9/11 conflicts. Across follow-up [median: 8.2 years], 1.2% women were diagnosed with BC. Those who deployed in support of OEF/OIF were 23% less likely to be diagnosed with BC than women who did not deploy (95% CI: 0.73, 0.86). The association remained in stratified models and when including healthcare utilization. Despite the exposures of OEF/OIF deployment, there was a significantly lower incidence of BC among women who deployed versus not, possibly due to a healthy soldier effect or to differences in screening.

Immunogenetics of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women veterans

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition that is associated with concomitant immune system dysfunction. Here we evaluated the influence of genes involved in the human immune response, Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA), on lifetime PTSD in primarily Caucasian women veterans. High-resolution HLA genotyping was completed for 372 participants. We assessed differences in HLA makeup between Control (n = 277) and lifetime PTSD (n = 95) groups. HLA was found to have a significant overall effect on lifetime PTSD occurrence (P < 0.00001). Of the 192 alleles identified in this sample, the frequencies of 15 alleles significantly differed between groups. Two alleles – HLA-A*02:01 and DPB1*04:01 –occurred more frequently in controls, presumably indicating protective effects. Thirteen alleles (6 Class I, 7 Class II) occurred more frequently in the lifetime PTSD group, presumably indicating susceptibility effects. In analysis evaluating the effect of the combined presence in individual participants of a protective allele and a susceptibility allele, the presence of a protective allele neutralized the effect of the susceptibility alleles. These findings, which add to the nascent literature on immunogenetics of PTSD, are discussed in terms of the evolutionary role of HLA in host protection against foreign antigens.

Gender Differences in Connecting Veterans to Care Through the Veterans Crisis Line: A Mixed Methods Evaluation of Referrals to Suicide Prevention Coordinators.

Suicide is a major public health crisis within the US military veteran community, with distinct gender differences in suicide risk and behavior. The Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) is a component of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) suicide prevention program; through VCL, veterans may be referred to a VHA Suicide Prevention Coordinator (SPC) to arrange follow-up care. Research shows that engagement with an SPC is a strong protective factor in reducing veteran suicide risk. We evaluated SPC referral acceptance and assessed correlates of SPC referral decline using VCL administrative data for contacts: (1) made between January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2019; (2) by veterans contacting VCL on their own behalf; (3) with gender identified; and (4) current thoughts of suicide. Then, among a subsample of 200 veterans, evenly distributed by gender, we examined data from call synopsis notes to identify reasons given for veterans declining an SPC referral. We found it was generally callers rated as lower risk by responders, and callers with loneliness as a reason for contacting VCL, who more frequently declined the SPC referral. An analysis of reasons given for declining SPC referral found that concerns with/about Veterans Affairs care were a key concern, particularly among women veterans articulating specific negative care experiences. Other reasons for referral decline included managing the veteran's needs directly on the call or via alternative resources. The VCL as an intervention provides an important opportunity to re-engage vulnerable veterans into care, one that may be more challenging for women veterans.

Associations between deployment experiences, safety-related beliefs, and firearm ownership among women Veterans

IntroductionAmong women Veterans, firearms are the leading suicide means. This has prompted efforts to elucidate factors associated with women Veterans’ firearm ownership. This cross-sectional study examined if deployment experiences were associated with firearm ownership among women Veterans and if safety-related beliefs mediated these associations. Methods492 previously deployed post-9/11 women Veterans participated in a national survey that included the Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory-2, subscales of the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory and Posttraumatic Maladaptive Beliefs Scale, and firearm ownership questions. Path analysis was used. ResultsPerceived threat during deployment was associated with firearm ownership, irrespective of safety-related beliefs. Indirect effects did not support that safety-related beliefs mediated relations between deployment experiences and firearm ownership. The other deployment experiences (sexual harassment, sexual assault, general harassment, combat experiences) were not indirectly associated with firearm ownership, nor were safety-related beliefs (negative cognitions about the world, threat of harm, beliefs about others’ reliability and trustworthiness) directly associated with firearm ownership. In an exploratory serial mediation analysis, perceived threat during deployment mediated the association between combat experiences and firearm ownership. In a sensitivity analysis examining firearm acquisition following military service, results were similar, except the indirect effect of combat experiences upon firearm acquisition through perceived threat was not significant. ConclusionPost-9/11 women Veterans’ firearm acquisition and ownership may relate to specific deployment experiences, such as perceived threat; however, longitudinal studies are needed to fully ascertain this. Efforts to address firearm access among post-9/11 women Veterans may benefit from assessing heightened sense of danger during deployment.

Recent and Frequent Mental Distress Among Women with a History of Military Service, 2003-2019.

Examining women veterans' self-reported mental health is critical to understanding their unique mental and physical health needs. This study describes self-reported mental distress over a 17-year period among cross-sectional nationally representative samples of women in the USA using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) core national surveys from 2003 to 2019. Nationally representative prevalence estimates of self-reported mental distress were compared between women veterans and their (1) men veteran and (2) women civilian counterparts. In each year examined, women veterans report significantly more days of recent mental distress and significantly higher prevalence of frequent mental distress than their men veteran counterparts. In several years, women veterans also report greater levels of recent and frequent mental distress than women civilians. These findings highlight the long-standing high prevalence of self-reported poor mental health among women veterans and suggest that specific efforts to address mental health among women veterans as a unique population may be warranted.

Abstract 11245: Trends in Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Women Veterans

Introduction: Women Veterans (WV) have been identified as a high-risk population for developing ischemic heart disease (IHD). Trends for prevalence of IHD risk factors for WV over the past two decades is unknown. The goal of this study was to evaluate these trends. Methods: Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health records were used to identify WV aged ≥18 years who visited any VAs nationwide from 1/1/2001-12/31/2017. Risk factors studied included diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and obesity. Prevalence of each risk factor was calculated based on the number of patients alive, and of those, the number of patients with the specific risk factor on December 31 st of each year. Diagnosis of each risk factor was based on the International Classification of Disease versions 9 and 10 codes. Results: Table 1 reveals the prevalence of each risk factor from 2001-2017. During this period the prevalence of these risk factors increased by, 28% for hypertension, 67% for diabetes, 71% for obesity, 140% for hyperlipidemia and 178% for smoking. Alarmingly, in 2017, the prevalence of obesity in WV was &gt;43%. Conclusions: The prevalence of each of these cardiovascular risk factors significantly increased from 2001-2017 in WV. Research towards prevention of these risk factors is warranted in this high-risk population.

Abstract 12929: Association of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With Stroke in Women Veterans

Introduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with ischemic heart disease in women veterans. To date, the evidence for the potential association of PTSD with other cardiovascular disorders remains limited. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of the research in this area has been conducted predominately in men. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the association of PTSD with incident stroke in a large cohort of women veterans. Methods: Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health records were used to identify women veterans aged ≥18 years who visited any VAs nationwide from 1/1/2000-12/31/2017. Diagnosis of each risk factor and disorder was based on administrative billing codes (International Classification of Disease versions 9 and 10). The final study cohorts included 1:2 matched group of patients with and without PTSD respectively. The cohorts were matched for age, traditional risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking, as well as obesity, chronic kidney disease, psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety), female specific risk factors (e.g., pre-eclampsia), drug and alcohol dependence, neuroendocrine disorders (e.g., hypo or hyperthyroidism), and number of visits. Cox regression was used to model incident stroke as a function of PTSD. Results: The study population included 398,769 patients, including 132,293 with PTSD and 265,846 matched patients without PTSD. The cox regression analysis revealed that PTSD was significantly associated with greater rates of incident stroke (hazard ratio [HR]=1.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.43-1.86, p&lt;.001). Conclusion: These results point to a strong association of PTSD with incident stroke in women veterans. Further research is indicated to assess the association of PTSD with a broader range of cardiovascular disorders.

Abstract 12063: Antidepressant Use and Incident Ischemic Heart Disease in Women Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Introduction: Antidepressants, namely selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), are efficacious in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, but their implications for cardiovascular health are unclear. Although SSRI/SNRI treatment could improve PTSD—thus decreasing cardiovascular risk, antidepressant use has also predicted cardiovascular events. This study examined if antidepressant use was associated with developing ischemic heart disease (IHD) in women veterans with PTSD. Methods: The Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic health record (EHR) database was used to identify women veterans with PTSD who engaged with VA healthcare from 2000-2019. Antidepressant use (documented in the EHR) was categorized as SSRIs, SNRIs, both SSRIs/SNRIs, other, or none (ref). We used Cox regression with time-varying exposure and covariates to estimate effects of antidepressants on risk of incident IHD (angina, MI, CAD). Once a woman was exposed to antidepressants, she was considered exposed until IHD onset or censoring. Age, race, ethnicity, and a range of time-varying risk factors [traditional risk factors (e.g., hypertension), other medical risk factors (e.g., obesity), women-specific risk factors (e.g., preeclampsia), psychiatric risk factors (e.g., depression)], were covariates. Results: The analytic sample comprised 143,324 women without IHD at start of follow-up; mean age was 36.1 years ( SD =11.0). Over a median follow-up of 8.6 years, there were 6,633 incident IHD cases. When adjusting for demographics and traditional IHD risk factors, exposure to SNRIs was associated with a 33% greater rate of IHD (95% CI: 1.24-1.43), SSRIs with a 27% greater rate (95% CI: 1.20-1.34), both SSRIs/SNRIs with a 59% greater rate (95% CI: 1.01-2.49), and other antidepressants with a 24% greater rate (95% CI: 1.17-1.31). Associations with SNRIs (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.12-1.30), SSRIs (HR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.09-1.22), and other antidepressants (HR=1.19, 95% CI: 1.13-1.26) remained significant in fully adjusted models. Conclusions: Antidepressant use in women veterans with PTSD may exacerbate risk of IHD. Mechanism-focused research and further work in women veterans without PTSD is also needed.

Abstract 13208: Pathways Linking Posttraumatic Stress Disorder to Ischemic Heart Disease in Women Veterans

Introduction: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with increased risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). It is unclear if this excess risk is entirely mediated through traditional IHD risk factors (hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking). We examined 13 potential mediators of the PTSD-IHD association in a large cohort of women veterans: traditional risk factors, other conditions (obesity, chronic kidney disease, neuroendocrine disorders), women-specific risk factors (e.g., gestational diabetes and hypertension, pre-eclampsia), and psychiatric disorders (depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, alcohol dependence, and drug dependence). Methods: The study cohort included women veterans ≥18 years of age who were enrolled in Veterans Health Administration care between 1/1/2000 to12/31/2017. Diagnosis of each risk factor and disorder was based on administrative billing codes (International Classification of Disease versions 9 and 10). The final study cohorts included 1:2 propensity-score matched group of patients with and without PTSD respectively. The cohorts were matched for age, number of prior visits, and presence of the above risk factors. Cox regression examined associations of PTSD with time to development of the above 13 risk factors. Cox regression with time-varying covariates was used to model time to development of IHD as a function of PTSD and each of above 13 risk factors as time-varying predictors in separate models. Results: The cohorts included 132,293 patients with, and 265,846 patients without PTSD. PTSD was positively associated with each of the 13 risk factors. Results are tabulated in the table below.Conclusion: Traditional risk factors cumulatively accounted for just one third of the risk of IHD posed by PTSD, and all examined risk factors accounted for less than half of the increased risk associated with PTSD. More research is needed to identify pathways by which PTSD accelerates cardiovascular risk.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Women Veterans: A Research Note

There are a growing number of U. S. women veterans. The goal of this study was to examine the frequency of reproductive health conditions, as well as racial/ethnic disparities within reproductive health concerns, among a sample of women veterans who were referred by their primary care providers for a psychiatric evaluation. Cross-sectional data were collected from 701 women veterans in a Women’s Health Clinic at a VA Medical Center. The most commonly reported reproductive health conditions were dyspareunia, pelvic pain, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Other reproductive health conditions reported by women veterans included endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and osteoporosis. Black women veterans had significantly higher rates of endometriosis compared with the other racial/ethnic groups. Prevalence of PCOS, dyspareunia, osteoporosis, STIs, pelvic pain, perinatal loss, and infertility treatment did not differ across race/ethnicity. Health care providers working with women veterans should engage in regular screening of reproductive health conditions for women across all demographic groups.

Association Between Availability of Women's Health Services and Women Veterans' Care Experiences.

Few studies have focused on determinants of women's ratings of care experiences in primary care. We assessed associations between availability of women's health services and women veterans' ratings of care experiences. In a cross-sectional analysis, we linked Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (October 1, 2016, to September 30, 2017) survey data from 126 Veterans Health Administration (VA) primary care leaders to 4,254 women veterans' ratings of care from VA's Survey of Healthcare Experiences of Patients-Patient Centered Medical Home (FY 2017). The dependent variables were ratings of optimal access (appointments, information), care coordination, comprehensiveness (behavioral health assessment), patient-provider communication, and primary care provider. Key independent variables were number of women's health services 1) routinely available all weekday hours (compared with some hours or not available) and 2) available in VA general primary care vs. other arrangements. In multilevel logistic regression models, we adjusted for patient-, facility-, and area-level characteristics. A greater number of women's health services routinely available in VA primary care was associated with a higher likelihood of optimal ratings of care coordination (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-1.10), provider communication (AOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.002-1.16), and primary care provider (AOR, 1.07; 95% CI,1.02-1.13). A greater number of services available in VA primary care was associated with a lower likelihood of optimal ratings for access (AOR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88-0.99). For the most part, routine availability of women's health services in VA primary care clinics enhanced women's healthcare experiences. These empirical findings offer healthcare leaders evidence-based approaches for improving women's care experiences.

Implementing clinical decision support for reducing women Veterans' cardiovascular risk in VA: A mixed-method, longitudinal study of context, adaptation, and uptake.

Evaluations of clinical decision support (CDS) implementation often struggle to measure and explain heterogeneity in uptake over time and across settings, and to account for the impact of context and adaptation on implementation success. In 2017-2020, the EMPOWER QUERI implemented a cardiovascular toolkit using a computerized template aimed at reducing women Veterans' cardiovascular risk across five Veterans Healthcare Administration (VA) sites, using an enhanced Replicating Effective Programs (REP) implementation approach. In this study, we used longitudinal joint displays of qualitative and quantitative findings to explore (1) how contextual factors emerged across sites, (2) how the template and implementation strategies were adapted in response to contextual factors, and (3) how contextual factors and adaptations coincided with template uptake across sites and over time. We identified site structure, staffing changes, relational authority of champions, and external leadership as important contextual factors. These factors gave rise to adaptations such as splitting the template into multiple parts, pairing the template with a computerized reminder, conducting academic detailing, creating cheat sheets, and using small-scale pilot testing. All five sites exhibited variability in utilization over the months of implementation, though later sites exhibited higher template utilization immediately post-launch, possibly reflecting a "preloading" of adaptations from previous sites. These findings underscore the importance of adaptive approaches to implementation, with intentional shifts in intervention and strategy to meet the needs of individual sites, as well as the value of integrating mixed-method data sources in conducting longitudinal evaluation of implementation efforts.

Advance Care Directive Preferences in Women Veterans: A Snapshot.

Prior research characterizes mainly male veteran preferences at end of life using the Veterans Administration Advance Directive (VA AD), there has been no specific studies focusing on women veteran's preferences concerning whether the AD is to be strictly (S) followed or to serve as a general guide (G). The purpose of this study was to describe women veteran preferences for life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) in various illness situations to assist providers in discussing end-of-life decisions. Additionally, we compared previously published LST preferences of male veterans with the study's sample. Using a descriptive retrospective approach, data was collected from 484 women veterans ADs between January 2010 and December 2019. Findings revealed that women tended to trend in the same direction as men, preferring to have advance directives serve as general guidance over being strictly followed. Unconscious/Coma/Vegetative was the only factor that was statistically significant for affecting the choice of following the AD.

PTSD and Depression Symptoms Increase Women's Risk for Experiencing Future Intimate Partner Violence.

Psychological distress may impact women’s risk for future intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet, limited research has utilized longitudinal research designs and there is a scarcity of research looking at the three most commonly implicated mental health factors—posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and alcohol use—within the same study. Research is especially scarce for women veterans, who experience substantial risk for these mental health concerns and experiencing IPV. This study examined the role of PTSD symptoms, depression symptoms, and alcohol use in increasing risk for experiencing future IPV while simultaneously accounting for the impact of recent IPV experience on subsequent mental health. This study included a sample of 1921 women veterans (Mage = 36.5), who were asked to complete three mail surveys over the course of 8 months as part of a larger longitudinal survey study of US veterans’ health and well-being. The survey assessed experiences of IPV, PTSD symptoms (PCL-5), depression symptoms (PHQ-9), and alcohol use (AUDIT-C) at each of the three time points. Results from separate path analysis models provided support for the role of PTSD symptoms and depression symptoms (but not alcohol use) in increasing risk for IPV experience over time. However, the path analysis models provided little support, with the exception of PTSD, for the impact of IPV experience on subsequent mental health symptoms. Findings point to the importance of better understanding the mechanisms by which PTSD and depression symptoms can increase risk for IPV to inform theory and prevention and treatment efforts. Detection and treatment of PTSD and depression symptoms among women may help reduce risk for future violence in intimate relationships.

Characteristics and Gender Differences of Headache in the Veterans Health Administration: A National Cohort Study, Fiscal Year 2008-2019.

To determine gender differences in headache types diagnosed, sociodemographic characteristics, military campaign and exposures, and health care utilization among US veterans in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This study used a retrospective cohort design to examine VHA electronic health record (EHR) data. This cohort includes veterans who had at least 1 visit for any headache between fiscal years 2008 and 2019. Headache diagnoses were classified into 8 categories using International Classification of Disease, Clinical Modification codes. Demographics, military-related exposures, comorbidities, and type of provider(s) consulted were extracted from the EHR and compared by gender. Age-adjusted incidence and prevalence rates of medically diagnosed headache disorders were calculated separately for each type of headache. Of the 1,524,960 veterans with headache diagnoses included in the cohort, 82.8% were men. Compared with women, men were more often White (70.4% vs 56.7%), older (52.0 ± 16.8 vs 41.9 ± 13.0 years), with higher rates of traumatic brain injury (2.9% vs 1.1%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (23.7% vs 21.7%), and lower rates of military sexual trauma (3.2% vs 33.7%; p < 0.001 for all). Age-adjusted incidence rate of headache of any type was higher among women. Migraine and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia rates were most stable over time. Men were more likely than women to be diagnosed with headache not otherwise specified (77.4% vs 67.7%) and have higher incidence rates of headaches related to trauma (3.4% vs 1.9% [post-traumatic]; 5.5% vs 5.1% [postwhiplash]; p < 0.001 for all). Men also had fewer headache types diagnosed (mean ± SD; 1.3 ± 0.6 vs 1.5 ± 0.7), had fewer encounters for headache/year (0.8 ± 1.2 vs 1.2 ± 1.6), and fewer visits to headache specialists (20.8% vs 27.4% p < 0.001 for all), compared with women. Emergency department utilization for headache care was high for both genders and higher for women compared with men (20.3% vs 22.9%; p < 0.001). Among veterans with headache diagnoses, important gender differences exist for men and women veterans receiving headache care within VHA regarding sociodemographic characteristics, headache diagnoses, military exposure, and headache health care utilization. The findings have potential implications for providers and the health care system caring for veterans living with headache.

Institutional Betrayal and Closeness Among Women Veteran Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma: Associations with Self-Directed Violence and Mental Health Symptoms

ABSTRACT Institutional betrayal is defined as harm caused by an institution to an individual in the context of trust and dependence. High institutional betrayal is associated with poorer health outcomes, and high levels of trust, dependence, or identification with the institution (institutional closeness) may exacerbate the negative effects of institutional betrayal. While military sexual trauma is prevalent among women Veterans and associated with high rates of institutional betrayal, studies of the impact of military sexual trauma-related institutional betrayal have been limited in size and scope and have not examined the potential role of institutional closeness. We conducted a secondary analysis of national survey data collected from women Veterans who screened positive for military sexual trauma (n = 229). Hierarchical logistic and linear regression were used to examine associations between predictor variables (institutional betrayal, institutional closeness, and their interaction) and outcomes of interest and adjusted for age, education, and military sexual assault history. Institutional betrayal was associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt during or following military service, as well as more severe symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Institutional betrayal was not associated with non-suicidal self-injury or lifetime substance misuse. Counter to hypotheses, institutional closeness did not moderate relationships between institutional betrayal and mental health symptoms or self-directed violence. Results underscore the necessity of preventing and addressing institutional betrayal among women Veterans who experience military sexual trauma.

Pilot examination of stress, heart rate variability, and alcohol craving and use among female veterans.

Rates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) are increasing among civilian and veteran populations of women in the United States, and stress pathophysiology (i.e., abnormal acute and long-term change in physiological responses to stress) is central to the maintenance of alcohol misuse within this population. Heart rate variability (HRV) is one measure of stress regulation that may help to explain the association of stress with alcohol misuse among women. In the current analysis of pilot data, 20 women veterans attended an in-person laboratory session and completed 35 daily assessments of their alcohol use and craving. During the lab session, the effects of a stress induction procedure on self-reported alcohol craving and HRV were assessed. HRV was continuously measured and indexed in the time domain, using the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD). Alcohol craving and use during the longitudinal 35-day study period were measured via self-report questionnaires sent to participants' phones. Results indicated that resting HRV in the lab was positively associated with odds of daily craving. Moreover, HRV during the stressor, as measured in lab, was positively associated with (1) overall alcohol craving in the lab (i.e., with resting and post-stress craving), and (2) number of daily drinks during the 35-day study period. This pilot study suggests the potential role of HRV in response to stressors in predicting alcohol craving and use among female veterans. It provides pilot data for research on stress-reactive HRV as a biomarker for alcohol misuse among women, and discusses directions for future research.