Sexual vs. Non-sexual trauma, sexual satisfaction and function, and mental health in female veterans
Abstract
Trauma in general, and sexual assault in particular, is associated with serious mental health and functional problems. The quality of sexual satisfaction/function may be particularly impacted by sexual assault, and such sexual problems may account for some of the broader mental health and functioning impairments in sexual assault survivors. Accordingly, we examined self-reports of sexual health and mental health in a sample of 255 female veterans in committed, monogamous relationships who provided data regarding sexual assault (n = 153) or nonsexual trauma (n = 102). Trauma type was not associated with differences in sexual function, but sexual trauma was associated with significantly lower sexual satisfaction, greater posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms, and higher suicidal ideation. Furthermore, the indirect effect of trauma type on all mental health outcomes was significant via sexual satisfaction but not via sexual function. Finally, trauma type moderated the association of sexual function with suicidality, such that the association was significantly positive in those with a history of sexual assault but nonsignificant in those with nonsexual trauma. These results suggest that (1) female veterans' experience of sexual assault is related to sexual satisfaction, which in turn is related to mental health outcomes, and (2) a history of sexual assault may increase the importance of sexual functioning with regard to suicidality.
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Betrayal traumas are associated with more disrupted interpersonal relationships relative to other trauma exposures.
“However, given that betrayal traumas are associated with more disrupted interpersonal relationships relative to other trauma exposures (e.g. DiLillo, 2001; DiMauro, Renshaw, & Blais, 2018; Golding, Wilsnack, & Cooper, 2002), meta-analyses focused on trauma in general may not accurately reflect the relation between social support and PTSD for betrayal trauma survivors.”
From The association between social support and posttraumatic stress symptoms among survivors of betrayal trauma: a meta-analysis (2021) · cites this paper as DiMauro, Renshaw, & Blais, 2018
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“For example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques have been found to be helpful in reducing PTSD and depressive symptoms for both civilian women (e.g., Najavits, Weiss, & Liese, 1996) and female veterans seeking treatment through the Veterans Affairs system (e.g., Schnurr et al., 2007).”
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Self-citation
- Authors
- DiMauro, J., Renshaw, K. D., & Blais, R. K.
- Affiliations
- George Mason University (US)
- Utah State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- DiMauro, Jennifer
- Venue
- Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2018-03-30
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 403-416
- ISSN
- 1529-9732 (ISSN-L)
- 1529-9740
- OpenAlex
- W2795070663
- Cited by
- 58
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 4
- FWCI
- 14.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- correction (2018-12-25)
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Trauma & Dissociation (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Sexual function and dysfunction studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Keywords
- sexual assault, women veterans, sexual satisfaction, sexual function, post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, mental health, trauma type
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Depression, Female, Humans, Mental Health, Military Personnel, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Offenses, Sexual Partners, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, United States, Sexuality, Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological, Suicidal Ideation
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