Military Sexual Assault (MSA) among Veterans in Southern California: Associations with Physical Health, Psychological Health, and Risk Behaviors

Understanding the occurrence of sexual assault and sexual harassment in military settings is an important issue. This study sought to investigate the relationship between sexual assault during military service, and physical health symptoms, depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), risky behaviors (tobacco use, risking a sexually transmitted disease, and taking unnecessary risks to health and life), and drug use within a population of Veterans. Findings showed that over 60% of the participants experienced sexual assault during military service and showed a resulting increase in the likelihood of participating in risky behaviors and reporting physical and mental health symptoms.