High Levels of Emotional Distress, Trauma Exposure, and Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Among Military Personnel and Veterans With a History of Same Sex Behavior

Rates of suicide deaths and attempts among military personnel and veterans have risen over the past decade. Research on the relationship of sexual minority status (whether by attraction, identity, or behavior) with self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB) among military personnel and veterans is sparse, despite considerable evidence suggesting sexual minority individuals are at increased risk in the general population. The current study examined the relationship of sexual minority status (i.e., those reporting a history of same-sex partners) with emotional distress, trauma exposure, and SITB in a sample of 422 military personnel and veterans enrolled in college classes. Results indicated that military personnel who had a history of same-sex partners reported more severe depression, posttraumatic stress, and trauma exposure than military personnel who reported only other-sex partners. Female military personnel with a history of same-sex partners reported the highest rates of physical (48.3%) and sexual (41.4%) assault, and nonsuicidal self-injury (31%) and suicide attempts (20.7%). Military personnel with a history of same-sex partners reported significantly increased rates of suicide ideation (OR 2.08, p .05), nonsuicidal self-injury (OR 2.29, p .05), and suicide attempts (OR 2.89, p .05). Results suggest sexual minority military personnel and veterans, especially women, report greater emotional distress and trauma exposure. They are also at increased risk for SITB, as a function of these high levels of psychological distress and trauma.