Potentially traumatic events and health among lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual Vietnam veterans

Results from the Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID17815280
AutoresJohn R Blosnich (0000-0001-7663-3638, autor de correspondencia), Michelle M Hilgeman (0000-0002-1273-4242), Yasmin Cypel (0000-0003-1975-4497), Yasmin S Cypel, Fatema Z Akhtar (0000-0003-0514-0996), Dennis A Fried (0000-0003-3517-0758), Dennis Fried, Erick K Ishii, Aaron Schneiderman (0000-0002-5596-5040), Victoria J Davey (0000-0001-7402-6607, VA Office of Research and Development)
Año2021
Volumen14
Número4
Páginas568-577
Fecha de publicación2021-06-17
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPsychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1942-969X • E-ISSN: 1942-9681
EditorialAmerican Psychological Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1037/tra0001025
PMID34138613
OpenAlexW3168505386
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas20

Objectives: To examine differences in potentially traumatic events (PTEs), probable PTSD, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) and heterosexual Vietnam Era veterans. Method: Data are from the 2016-2017 Vietnam Era Health Retrospective Observational study survey ( n = 18,866; 45% response rate). PTEs were defined using the 10-item Brief Trauma Questionnaire and a dichotomous item about whether respondents witnessed sexual assault during military service. Current probable PTSD was measured with the Primary Care PTSD Screen, and mental and physical HRQoL was assessed with the SF-8TM. Multivariable regression analyses were first adjusted for sociodemographic and military-related characteristics, and then with PTEs as a count variable ranging from 0-11. Survey weights accounted for the complex sampling design and nonresponse. Results: Approximately 1.5% of veterans were LGB. Compared to heterosexual veterans, LGB veterans were more likely to report exposure to natural disasters, childhood physical abuse, adulthood physical assault, and sexual assault, and they were less likely to report combat exposure, witnessing someone being seriously injured or killed, or witnessing sexual assault while in the military. Compared to heterosexual veterans, LGB veterans had greater odds of current probable PTSD (adjusted odds ratio [ aOR ] = 1.50, 95% CI [1.04, 2.16]) and poorer mental HRQoL ( B = -1.70, SE = .72, p = .018). PTEs attenuated sexual orientation differences in probable PTSD ( aOR = 1.27, 95% CI [.82, 1.97]) and poorer mental HRQoL ( B = -1.22, SE = .67, p = .067). Conclusions: Among Vietnam Era veterans, PTEs differ based on sexual orientation, and contribute to LGB veterans' greater prevalence of current probable PTSD and poorer mental HRQoL relative to heterosexual veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Homosexuality · Lesbian · Mental health · Odds ratio · Psychiatry · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Korean Peninsula Historical and Political Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies