Title

Mental Health Needs of Military and Veteran Women: An Assessment Conducted by the Service Women’s Action Network

Department/School

Social Work

Date of this version

2018

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000132

Abstract

Needs assessment data from the Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) were analyzed to explore the top-reported concerns of military women. The final sample by military service status included active-duty service members (n = 178) and veterans (n = 829). For active-duty women, associations were sought between demographic variables as they predicted outcome variables of gender bias, issues with recognition, and harassment/assault. For veteran women, associations were sought between demographic variables as they predicted outcome variables of poor mental health, difficulty connecting with fellow women veterans, and financial problems. Active-duty women in the present study reported that they had previously faced issues with gender bias in the workplace (31.7%), had trouble getting public recognition as military professionals (11.7%), and had experienced sexual assault or harassment during their time in service (12.8%). Education predicted the likelihood of reporting harassment or assault (OR = 0.25). With regard to concerns, female veteran respondents most often reported having experienced challenges with mental health (32.1%), financial stability (30.4%), and connectivity with a community of women veterans (29.4%). Service era statistically and practically predicted all three issues among veterans, with the post-9/11 cohort being most at-risk. Primary findings from this study suggest links between concerns that women report while serving on active duty along with poor outcomes reported by women veterans post-transition are indicated. Recommendations include targeted programming for women veterans and service members alike, with significant attention paid to the improvement of services at points of separation and transition.

Volume

24

Issue

2

Published in

Traumatology

Citation/Other Information

Thomas, K. H., McDaniel, J. T., Haring, E. L., Albright, D. L., & Fletcher, K. L. (2018). Mental health needs of military and veteran women: An assessment conducted by the Service Women’s Action Network. Traumatology, 24(2), 104-112. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000132

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