Publication year
2014
Citation Title
Sexual functioning in military personnel: Preliminary estimates and predictors.
Journal Name
Journal of Sexual Medicine
Journal Volume
11
Issue Number
10
Page Numbers
2537-2545
DOI
10.1111/jsm.12643
Summary
Male Service members provided self-report data about their happiness, quality of life, mental and physical health, life and military experiences, and sexual functioning problems. Findings indicate that presence of mental health problems (posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depression, anxiety) is associated with significantly higher odds of sexual functioning problems, and that sexual functioning problems are associated with lower odds of happiness and quality of life.
Key Findings
Absence of sexual functioning problems was associated with significantly higher scores for general happiness and quality of life across all four measures (physical, psychological, social, and environmental).
PTSD was associated with a 30 times higher likelihood of having erectile dysfunction and 6 times higher likelihood of having a sexual dysfunction overall.
Depression, anxiety, and military sexual trauma each significantly predicted greater odds of both sexual dysfunction and erectile dysfunction.
Most males with erectile dysfunction or sexual dysfunction do not seek treatment, largely due to concern about potential treatment effects and social stigma.
Implications for Program Leaders
Offer workshops to Service members regarding ways to improve quality of life and overall happiness, as well as how these factors impact sexual functioning
Educate Service members about services and programs aimed at enhancing quality of life for military members
Publicize information regarding the inter-relationships among mental and physical functioning
Implications for Policy Makers
Support programs that educate Service members about sexual functioning problems
Recommend awareness campaigns that reduce stigma associated with sexual functioning problems and mental health issues
Encourage collaboration between DoD and community-based services that work with Service members coping with sexual functioning issues to provide streamlined care
Methods
Participants were part of a larger nation-wide study (The Sexual Functioning Survey) conducted in late 2013 and were recruited through online e-mail solicitations.
Participants completed self-report surveys about their sexual functioning and general happiness.
To be eligible, Service members had to be 40 years old or younger with a partner who was 45 years old or younger.
Participants
Three hundred sixty-seven male Service members from across the U.S. completed questionnaires.
Service members’ ages ranged from 18-40 (mean age = 31.43, SD = 3.91).
The majority were White (66%), followed by Black (15%), Latino/Latina (12%), and Other (7%).
Service branch data were not provided.
Limitations
The cross-sectional research design does not allow for causal inferences to be made.
Self-reports of sexual functioning problems are subject to under reporting due to embarrassment and perceived stigmatization.
Service branch data were not provided but were said to be representative of Active Duty members; however, without this information it is hard to determine generalizability of the results.
Avenues for Future Research
Include a longitudinal design to determine direction and causality of associations
Incorporate the perspectives of Service members’ wives or partners to broaden the understanding of sexual functioning in these relationships
Explore whether similar results are found among Female Service members
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Introduction: Although the military is a young and vigorous force, service members and veterans may experience sexual functioning problems (SFPs) as a result of military service. Sexual functioning can be impaired by physical, psychological, and social factors and can impact quality of life (QOL) and happiness. Aims: This study aims to estimate rates and correlates of SFPs in male military personnel across demographic and psychosocial characteristics, to examine the QOL concomitants, and to evaluate barriers for treatment seeking. Methods: This exploratory cross?sectional study was conducted using data from a larger nationwide study conducted between October 2013 and November 2013. This sample consists of 367 male active duty service members and recent veterans (military personnel) age 40 or younger. Main Outcome Measures: Erectile dysfunction (ED) was determined using the five?item International Index of Erectile Function, sexual dysfunction (SD) was determined using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale, Male, and QOL was determined using the World Health Organization Quality of Life, Brief. Results: SFPs were associated with various demographic, physical, and psychosocial risk factors. The rates of SD and ED were 8.45% and 33.24%, respectively, for male military personnel aged 21–40. Those who were 36–40, nonmarried, nonwhite, and of lower educational attainment reported the highest rates of SFPs. Male military personnel with poor physical and psychosocial health presented the greatest risk for ED and SD. SFPs were associated with reduced QOL and lower happiness, and barriers for treatment were generally related to social barriers.Conclusions: SFPs in young male military personnel are an important public health concern that can severely impact QOL and happiness.
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