How Does Military Adversity Affect Women Veterans' Mental Health and Well-Being?

What you need to know

• A substantial proportion of UK women veterans report experiencing sexual harassment (22.5%), sexual assault (5.1%), emotional bullying (22.7%), and physical assault (3.3%) during their military service.

• Younger women, those who held officer ranks, and those in combat-related roles were at higher risk of experiencing military adversity.

• All forms of military adversity were associated with higher rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women veterans.

• Different types of adversity were linked to specific mental health and well-being issues, like alcohol problems, physical health symptoms, and feelings of loneliness.

High rates of adversity experienced by women veterans

This study surveyed 750 UK women veterans to understand their experiences of adversity during military service and how it impacted their mental health and well-being after leaving the military. The researchers found concerning rates of various types of adversity:

22.5% of women reported experiencing sexual harassment during their service. This could include unwanted sexual comments, gestures, or pressures for sexual favors.

5.1% reported experiencing sexual assault, which refers to actual or attempted sexual contact without consent.

22.7% experienced emotional bullying from others in the military. This may involve verbal abuse, threats, or social exclusion.

3.3% reported physical assault, meaning they were physically attacked or threatened with violence.

These rates indicate that a substantial portion of women face challenging and potentially traumatic experiences during their military careers. The emotional bullying rate of 22.7% appears particularly high compared to other studies of military populations.

Who is most at risk?

The study identified some factors that were associated with higher risk of experiencing military adversity:

Age: Younger women veterans (under age 50) were more likely to report sexual harassment and emotional bullying compared to older veterans. This may reflect changing military culture over time or differences in willingness to report such experiences.

Rank: Women who had held officer ranks were at greater risk of both sexual harassment and emotional bullying compared to those of other ranks. This was an unexpected finding, as previous research has suggested lower-ranking women may be more vulnerable.

Military role: Those who reported serving in combat or combat support roles had higher rates of sexual harassment. As women have only recently been allowed in UK combat roles, this finding requires further investigation.

Mental health and well-being impacts

All forms of military adversity were associated with higher rates of PTSD symptoms among women veterans. This aligns with other research showing that interpersonal traumas like assault are strong predictors of PTSD.

Beyond PTSD, different types of adversity were linked to specific mental health and well-being issues:

Sexual harassment was associated with higher rates of physical health symptoms (called somatization). This means women who experienced harassment were more likely to report unexplained physical complaints.

Sexual assault was linked to higher rates of alcohol misuse. This may reflect attempts to cope with trauma through substance use.

Emotional bullying was associated with higher rates of common mental health problems like anxiety and depression. It was also linked to lower perceived social support and greater feelings of loneliness.

These findings highlight how military adversity can have wide-ranging and long-lasting impacts on women veterans’ health and quality of life after service.

Why this matters

This study sheds light on concerning rates of sexual, physical and emotional victimization experienced by women during UK military service. The impacts on mental health and well-being can persist long after leaving the military.

Understanding these issues is crucial for several reasons:

1. To improve support for women veterans: Knowing the types of adversity women face and their mental health effects can help tailor treatment and support services.

2. To address military culture: The high rates of adversity point to ongoing issues with military culture and systems that need to be addressed to better protect women service members.

3. To inform policy: As more military roles open to women, including combat positions, policies and procedures may need updating to mitigate risks.

Limitations and next steps

This study relied on self-reported experiences, which could lead to under- or over-reporting of adversity. The sample was also skewed toward older veterans, so experiences of younger women may not be fully captured.

The researchers call for more studies to understand:

• How multiple types of adversity may compound negative effects
• Differences in adversity rates across age groups and service eras
• Whether current reporting and support systems are adequate
• How military organizational factors may contribute to victimization risk

They also emphasize the need for practical changes to better protect women in the military, including improved reporting procedures and mental health support.

Conclusions

This research provides important evidence that many UK women veterans face significant adversity during their military service, with lasting impacts on their well-being. It highlights the need for both further study and concrete action to address these concerning issues and better support women who serve their country.

• High rates of sexual harassment, assault, and bullying experienced by UK women veterans indicate ongoing cultural issues that need to be addressed.

• Different types of military adversity are associated with specific mental health and well-being challenges for women veterans.

• More research is needed to understand risk factors and develop better support systems for women in the military and veteran communities.