1
|
Abbott I, Whitley GA. What are ambulance personnel experiences of sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace? A rapid evidence review. Int Emerg Nurs 2023; 71:101376. [PMID: 37972520 DOI: 10.1016/j.ienj.2023.101376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sexual assault and harassment of ambulance personnel in the workplace is widespread. Prevention via body worn cameras and legal efforts have been positive, however improvement is still needed to ensure the protection of staff from the negative impact of sexual violence at work. METHODS A rapid evidence review was conducted following the Cochrane Rapid Review guidance. MEDLINE and CINAHL Complete were searched from inception to February 2023. Screening and data extraction was conducted by one author and verified by the other. Included studies were appraised using a variety of critical appraisal checklists and a narrative synthesis was conducted. RESULTS From 46 articles screened, 7 were included in the review representing 3994 ambulance personnel from Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and South Korea. Seven themes were identified, including a need for more training, education and resources regarding sexual assault and harassment, differences in perpetrators, poor experiences with organisations, effects on victims outside the workplace, effects on victims within the workplace, barriers to reporting, and increased prevalence of sexual assault and harassment against women. CONCLUSION The effect of sexual assault and harassment has far-reaching negative impact on victims' lives. More training and resources are recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Abbott
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, UK
| | - Gregory Adam Whitley
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, UK; Clinical Audit and Research Unit, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hendrikx LJ, Williamson V, Murphy D. Adversity during military service: the impact of military sexual trauma, emotional bullying and physical assault on the mental health and well-being of women veterans. BMJ Mil Health 2023; 169:419-424. [PMID: 34697241 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite making up about 11% of the UK military, there remains limited investigation on the impact of adversity women experience during their service in the UK military. Military adversity can result in a range of well-being difficulties that may persist following transition out of military. The present study therefore examined the prevalence and correlates of different types of military adversity (defined as sexual harassment, sexual assault, emotional bullying and physical assault) within a community sample of UK women veterans. METHODS Participants were recruited from a UK charity supporting women veterans. 750 women veterans completed an online survey collecting information on sociodemographic and military factors, military adversity, as well as mental health and well-being difficulties. Associations between variables were explored using multivariate logistic regressions. RESULTS The findings indicate a high prevalence of military adversity (22.5% sexual harassment, 5.1% sexual assault, 22.7% emotional bullying and 3.3% physical assault). Younger women, those who held an officer rank during service and those who reported having a combat or combat support role during service were most at risk of military adversity. All types of adversity were significantly associated with probable post-traumatic stress disorder. Sexual harassment was additionally significantly associated with physical somatisation; sexual assault with alcohol difficulties; and emotional bullying with common mental health difficulties, low social support and loneliness. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that UK women veterans are at risk of a range of adverse experiences during military service and provides evidence of the impact of such adversities on mental health and well-being. Further research is required to better understand these relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - V Williamson
- Kings Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - D Murphy
- Research Department, Combat Stress, Leatherhead, UK
- Kings Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mota N, Sommer JL, Bolton SL, Enns MW, El-Gabalawy R, Sareen J, MacLean MB, Hall AL, Sudom K, Silins S, Garber B, Afifi TO. Prevalence and Correlates of Military Sexual Trauma in Service Members and Veterans: Results From the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2023; 68:682-690. [PMID: 36124372 PMCID: PMC10585130 DOI: 10.1177/07067437221125292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Military sexual trauma (MST) is an ongoing problem. We used a 2002 population-based sample, followed up in 2018, to examine: (1) the prevalence of MST and non-MST in male and female currently serving members and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, and (2) demographic and military correlates of MST and non-MST. METHODS Data came from the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey (n = 2,941, ages 33 years + ). Individuals endorsing sexual trauma were stratified into MST and non-MST and compared to individuals with no sexual trauma. The prevalence of lifetime MST was computed, and correlates of sexual trauma were examined using multinomial regression analyses. RESULTS The overall prevalence of MST was 44.6% in females and 4.8% in males. Estimates were comparable between currently serving members and veterans. In adjusted models in both sexes, MST was more likely among younger individuals (i.e., 33-49 years), and MST and non-MST were more likely in those reporting more non-sexual traumatic events. Among females, MST and non-MST were more likely in those reporting lower household income, non-MST was less likely among Officers, and MST was more likely among those with a deployment history and serving in an air environment. Unwanted sexual touching by a Canadian military member or employee was the most prevalent type and context of MST. INTERPRETATION A high prevalence of MST was observed in a follow-up sample of Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans. Results may inform further research as well as MST prevention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Mota
- Departments of Clinical Health Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jordana L. Sommer
- Departments of Psychology and Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Shay-Lee Bolton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Murray W. Enns
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Renée El-Gabalawy
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, and Clinical Health Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Jitender Sareen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Mary Beth MacLean
- Research Directorate, Veterans Affairs Canada, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Amy L. Hall
- Research Directorate, Veterans Affairs Canada, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
| | - Kerry Sudom
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stacey Silins
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bryan Garber
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Department of National Defence, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tracie O. Afifi
- Departments of Community Health Sciences and Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lai K, Jameson JT, Russell DW. Prevalence and correlates of destructive behaviors in the US Naval Surface Forces from 2010-2020. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:103. [PMID: 37029407 PMCID: PMC10080869 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01134-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To estimate the prevalence of domestic violence, sexual assault, and suicide for United States Navy (USN) personnel between 2010 and 2020 and identify potential associated factors. METHODS Official report data were used to calculate prevalence rates and odds ratios, accounting for sample and general USN population demographic data to assess differences in over- or underrepresentation of destructive behaviors. RESULTS Domestic violence and sexual assault offenders tended to be younger lower-ranked males. For sexual assaults, offenders were three times more likely to be senior to the victim, which was not the case for domestic violence. Females were overrepresented in terms of suicidal ideation and attempts relative to the USN population, while males accounted for more actual suicides. The relative rates of suicidal ideation and attempts for females exceeded those for males (i.e., comparing the sample rate against the USN male and female populations), but the sample proportion for completed suicides (compared to the USN population) were greater for males than for females. Those in the junior enlisted (E1-E3) paygrades exhibited greater odds of suicide attempts versus suicidal ideations relative to those in the Petty Officers (E4-E6) paygrades, although E4-E6s completed more suicides. CONCLUSION The descriptive profile of destructive behaviors in a representative sample of USN personnel provides an overview of the possible factors associated with destructive behaviors and includes an exploration of the relational dynamics and nature of the incidents. The results suggest that sexual assault and domestic violence are characterized by unique relational dynamics and that these destructive behaviors should not necessarily be classified together as male-oriented aggressions (i.e., mainly perpetrated by males against female victims). Those in the E1-E3 and E4-E6 paygrades displayed different patterns in suicidal ideation, attempts, and actual suicides. The results highlight individual characteristics to help inform the development of targeted policies, practices, and interventions for military and other hierarchical organizations (e.g., police).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Lai
- Leidos, Naval Health Research Center, 329 Ryne Road, San Diego, CA 92152 USA
| | - Jason T. Jameson
- Leidos, Naval Health Research Center, 329 Ryne Road, San Diego, CA 92152 USA
| | - Dale W. Russell
- Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Coronado, CA USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cucciare MA, Mengeling MA, Han X, Kennedy K, Torner J, Sadler AG. Experiencing Sexual Assault and/or Stalking-Related Behavior is Associated with Binge Drinking and Substance Use Consequences in Deployed U.S. Servicewomen. Womens Health Issues 2022; 32:402-410. [PMID: 34991954 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2021.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Being deployed is a risk factor for poor postdeployment mental health outcomes in U.S. servicewomen, including harmful drinking. However, to our knowledge, no studies have examined deployment-related sexual assault and exposure to stalking-related behavior in relation to binge drinking and substance use consequences in this population. METHODS A community sample of post-9/11 servicewomen from the Midwest, including both veterans and those actively serving (N = 991), completed computer-assisted telephone interviews after deployment. Logistic regression models examined associations between deployment-related sexual assault (attempted or completed) and stalking-related behavior (e.g., being left unwanted things, having property vandalized), and the likelihood of reporting binge drinking and substance use consequences after controlling for covariates. RESULTS U.S. servicewomen experiencing deployment-related sexual assault and/or stalking-related behavior were more likely to report binge drinking in the past 4 weeks and at least one negative consequence of substance use in the past year. Also, 21.56% of the sample reported experiencing any deployment-related sexual assault and/or stalking-related behavior, 17.34% reported any stalking-related behavior and no sexual assault, 2.42% reported both sexual assault and stalking-related behavior, and 1.80% reported sexual assault and no stalking-related behavior. The most commonly endorsed behaviors were being followed or spied on (9.09%), receiving unsolicited correspondence (8.34%-8.74%), and having someone show up at places you were (6.90%). CONCLUSIONS U.S. servicewomen experiencing sexual assault and/or stalking-related behavior during deployment may be at higher risk for binge drinking and experiencing negative consequence of substance use when compared with their peers not reporting these stressors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Cucciare
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arizona; VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Arkansas; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Arkansas.
| | - Michelle A Mengeling
- Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa; VA Office of Rural Health, Veterans Rural Health Resource Center-Iowa City, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Xiaotong Han
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arizona; VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Arkansas; Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research, Central Arkansas Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, North Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Kristina Kennedy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arizona
| | - James Torner
- Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Anne G Sadler
- Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, Iowa; Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Fenwick KM, Golden RE, Frayne SM, Hamilton AB, Yano EM, Carney DV, Klap R. Women Veterans' Experiences of Harassment and Perceptions of Veterans Affairs Health Care Settings During a National Anti-Harassment Campaign. Womens Health Issues 2021; 31:567-575. [PMID: 34238668 DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2021.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In 2017, Veterans Health Administration (VA) launched a social marketing and training campaign to address harassment of women veterans at VA health care facilities. We assessed women veterans' experiences of harassment, reported perpetrators of harassment, and perceptions of VA in 2017 (before campaign launch) and 2018 (1 year after campaign implementation). METHODS We administered surveys to women veterans attending primary care appointments (2017, n = 1,300; 2018, n = 1,711). Participants reported whether they experienced sexual harassment (e.g., catcalls) and gender harassment (e.g., questioning women's veteran status) from patients and/or staff at VA in the past 6 months. They also indicated whether they felt welcome, felt safe, and believed the VA is working to address harassment. We compared variables in 2017 versus 2018 with χ2 analyses, adjusting for facility-level clustering. RESULTS There were no significant differences in percentages of participants reporting sexual harassment (20% vs. 17%) or gender harassment (11% vs. 11%) in 2017 versus 2018. Men veterans were the most frequently named perpetrators, but participants also reported harassment from staff. Participant beliefs that VA is working to address harassment significantly improved from 2017 to 2018 (52% vs. 57%; p = .05). CONCLUSIONS One year after campaign launch, women veterans continued to experience harassment while accessing VA health care services. Findings confirm that ongoing efforts to address and monitor both staff- and patient-perpetrated harassment are essential. Results have implications for future anti-harassment intervention design and implementation and highlight additional opportunities for investigation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karissa M Fenwick
- VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy (CSHIIP), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Rachel E Golden
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
| | - Susan M Frayne
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California; Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
| | - Alison B Hamilton
- VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy (CSHIIP), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, Los Angeles, California
| | - Elizabeth M Yano
- VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy (CSHIIP), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California; Department of Health Policy and Management, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California; Department of Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Diane V Carney
- VA HSR&D Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i), VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Menlo Park, California
| | - Ruth Klap
- VA HSR&D Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy (CSHIIP), VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sadler AG, Cheney AM, Mengeling MA, Booth BM, Torner JC, Young LB. Servicemen's Perceptions of Male Sexual Assault and Barriers to Reporting During Active Component and Reserve/National Guard Military Service. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2021; 36:NP3596-NP3623. [PMID: 29907078 DOI: 10.1177/0886260518780407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite growing recognition of the high rates of sexual violence experienced by men serving in the U.S. military, male victimization, specifically sexual assault in military (SAIM), is an understudied topic. We qualitatively describe servicemen's awareness and perceptions of male SAIM, and their understanding of common barriers to servicemen reporting sexual assault. Participants included Midwestern Active Component and Reserve and National Guard servicemen, actively serving or Veteran, who had returned from Iraq or Afghanistan deployments during Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom eras. Eleven focus groups were held with 34 servicemen (20 Reserve/National Guard and 14 Active Component). Qualitative analyses used inductive and deductive techniques. Servicemen reported a lack of awareness of male SAIM, a tendency to blame or marginalize male victims, and substantial barriers to reporting sexual assault. Reserve/National Guard participants emphasized barriers such as a perception of greater stigma due to their unique status as citizen-soldiers, an ethos of unit conformity and leadership modeling, and a lack of confidence in leadership and the SAIM reporting process. In contrast, Active Component servicemen emphasized the deployment location and sex of victim and perpetrator as key reporting barriers. Findings make an important contribution to the scant literature on risk and protective factors for male SAIM and servicemen's perceptions of sexual violence and assault reporting barriers by their service type and location. This work has implications for routine screening for sexual violence experiences of male service members and Veterans. Providers' knowledge of gender stereotypes regarding sexual assault, assault risks and experiences of deployed servicemen, and potential barriers to SAIM disclosure is vital for patient-centered care delivery. Additional research to address factors that influence post-SAIM care engagement of males is indicated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne G Sadler
- Iowa City VA Health Care System, IA, USA
- The University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Ann M Cheney
- University of California, Riverside, USA
- VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, CA, USA
| | | | - Brenda M Booth
- University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
A culture of respect: Leader development and preventing destructive behavior. INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY-PERSPECTIVES ON SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/iop.2020.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
|
9
|
Gidycz CA, Wyatt J, Galbreath NW, Axelrad SH, McCone DR. Sexual assault prevention in the military: Key issues and recommendations. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2018.1489663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Joel Wyatt
- Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio
| | - Nathan W. Galbreath
- Department of Defense, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office Alexandria, Virginia
| | | | - Dave R. McCone
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
McCone DR, Thomsen CJ, Laurence JH. Introduction to the special issue on sexual harassment and sexual assault in the US military. MILITARY PSYCHOLOGY 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/08995605.2018.1479550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dave R. McCone
- Dept. of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado
| | | | | |
Collapse
|