Citation

Dansak DA. Mil. Med. 1998; 163(8): 510-514.

Affiliation

Mental Health Department, Naval Hospital Pensacola, FL 32512, USA.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9715612

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the number of Navy outpatient mental health patients reporting a history of childhood abuse. To explore the relationships among abuse history, parental/step-parental substance abuse, mental illness, and divorce. METHOD: Review of 134 clinical data forms completed by patients when first seen. RESULTS: Twenty-six percent reported at least one type of childhood abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, emotional). Proportionally more females reported any one type of abuse. Assailants were predominantly males, typically fathers or stepfathers. Verbal abuse significantly affected childhood happiness. Parental substance abuse, mental illness, or divorce before age 19 reduced childhood happiness, and abuse further reduced it. CONCLUSION: Childhood abuse is commonly reported by Navy mental health patients and may affect their adjustment to military life.

Language: en