Publication year
2005
Citation Title
Deployment stressors, gender, and mental health outcomes among Gulf War I Veterans.
Journal Name
Journal of Traumatic Stress
Journal Volume
18
Issue Number
2
Page Numbers
115-127
DOI
10.1002/jts.20018
Summary
The gender differences in associations between deployment stressors and mental health outcomes were explored among Gulf War I Veterans. Compared to men, women reported significantly more anxiety and interpersonal stressors.
Key Findings
Overall, mission-related stressors (combat experiences, aftermath of battle, perceived threat, difficult living, and working environment) had a similar impact on the mental health of men and women. Men reported significantly more combat experiences than women.
Compared to men, women reported significantly more interpersonal stressors during deployment, especially frequent incidents of sexual harassment and less social support from supervisors and peers.
Although men and women reported similar levels of PTSD and depression, women reported significantly higher levels of anxiety.
Lower levels of social support during deployment represented a stronger risk factor for depression and anxiety among women compared to men.
Implications for Program Leaders
Educate Service members about the importance of social support from peers during deployment and encourage them to dedicate time and energy to these relationships, recognizing that such peer support can give strength during difficult times
Provide classess about the deleterious effects of sexual harassment, encouraging affected personnel to seek support if indicated
Offer support groups to the families of female Service members during deployment that address the unique issues faced by female Service members (e.g., anxiety, interpersonal stressors) and their families
Implications for Policy Makers
Continue to support sexual harassment prevention activities as well for as a range of supports for people who have experienced such harassment
Recommend systematic literature reviews, identifying protective and risk factors associated with Service members affected by sexual harassment
Recommend professional education including information on military culture for professionals who work with Service members and their families
Methods
Gulf War I Veterans from across the U. S. were identified through the Defense Manpower Data Center and the VA Gulf War Health Registry (response rate: 66%).
Participants completed self-report questionnaires containing measures of mission stressors (combat experiences, aftermath of battle, perceived threat, difficult living and working environment), interpersonal stressors (concerns about family/relationship disruptions, lack of deployment social support, sexual harassment), and mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, PTSD).
Researchers used statistical analyses to examine study outcomes.
Participants
Three hundred seventeen Gulf War I Veterans participated in the study.
In this sample, most participants were male (74%) and age and race/ethnicity were not specified.
Participants represented each service branch as well as Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve (percentages not specified). However, no data on ranks were provided.
Limitations
Results are based on retrospective accounts collected approximately 10 years after deployment to the 1990–1991 Gulf War. Hence, the findings may be biased given issues related to memory.
Data were based on self-reports, which are subject to bias.
Several key demographic variables were missing (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, military branch) which limits the ability to understand the sample.
Avenues for Future Research
Replicate this study with OIF/OEF Veterans
Explore how family and relationship disruptions translate into challenges in post deployment mental health for women
Examine how men’s experiences of sexual harassment are qualitatively different than those of women
Focus
Multiple Branches
Target Population
Population Focus
Military Branch
Military Component
Abstract
Findings indicate that war-zone exposure has negative implications for the postdeployment adjustment of veterans; however, most studies have relied on limited conceptualizations of war-zone exposure and focused on male samples. In this study, an array of deployment stressors that were content valid for both female and male Gulf War I military personnel was examined to elucidate gender differences in war-zone exposure and identify gender-based differential associations between stressors and mental health outcomes. While women and men were exposed to both mission-related and interpersonal stressors and both stressor categories were associated with mental health outcomes, women reported more interpersonal stressors and these stressors generally had a stronger impact on women's than on men's mental health. Exceptions are described, and implications are discussed.
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