Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
An official website of the United States government
Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title
Sadler AG, Mengeling M, Torner J, Barron S, Booth B. Intimate Partner Violence During Military Service in OEF/OIF Era Active Component and Reserve and National Guard Service Women. Paper presented at: International Family Violence and Child Victimization Research Conference; 2016 Jul 11; Portsmouth, NH.
Purpose: To identify factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences of OEF/OIF Active Component (AC) and Reserves/National Guard (RNG) servicewomen. Methods: 1339 completed a telephone interview assessing participant characteristics, trauma exposures, and health outcomes. A sample of OEF/OIF era servicewomen, 50%AC/50% RNG, 74% ever deployed were recruited (DMDC-provided contact information). Results: Participant median age was 37 yrs (18-59yo), white (77%), married (54%) and actively serving (80%). IPV perpetrated by a spouse, partner, or ex-partner during military service was experienced by 33%. Those acknowledging IPV reported: emotional abuse (85%); physical abuse (41%); threat with a weapon (6%) or physical harm (4%). Sexual assault by intimate partner (21%) and stalking (15%) were common. Almost half (46%, n = 202) experienced multiple IPV types. Women experiencing IPV were more likely to be: army (p < .015); students (p < .002); separated, divorced, or widowed (p < .001), have joined the military to avoid domestic violence (p < .005), positive for probable PTSD (p < .001) and depression (p < .001), service connected for disability (p < .042). No differences in IPV were found by rank, RNG vs AC service, or deployment history. Conclusions: IPV during military is a common experience in OEF/OIF servicewomen and a significant public health concern.
