Citation

Baker DG, Boat BW, Grinvalsky HT, Geracioti TD. Mil. Med. 1998; 163(1): 20-25.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9465567

Abstract

Exposure to trauma is more frequent than was previously recognized. The prevalence and impact of trauma events, including trauma involving animals, was assessed in age-matched male and female veterans. High rates of exposure to at least one trauma event were reported by males (95%) and females (97%). Females were more likely to report sexual and physical abuse by a significant other. Both genders experienced higher trauma rates in the military than in civilian settings. A survey of animal-related experiences showed similar rates of losing a special pet, being frightened or hurt by an animal, witnessing or perpetrating violence toward animals, and having sexual interactions with animals. Almost one-third of the veterans showed evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, highlighting the potential benefit of trauma screening to identify veterans in need of further evaluation and treatment.

Language: en