Impacts of Military Sexual Trauma on Intimate Partner Relationships in Female Veterans

Abstract

Military sexual trauma is a pandemic across nations that has infected every branch of military service. The rate of sexual assault and rape in the military is prevalent. Research suggests that attachment styles are relatively stable through life. However, there is research to suggest that it is not entirely fixed. Human attachment can be malleableized over time when introduced to new variables. Trauma often leads to disoriented disorganized attachment. Research has looked at the effects that MST has on psychopathology in female Veterans. Research has even conceptualized a proposed treatment plan for MST survivors based on the presumed effects of MST on attachment styles and intimate partner relationships. The current study focused on the relationship of military sexual trauma (MST) and attachment styles on the impact of intimate partner relationships of female Veteran. Utilizing self-reported inventories and qualitative interviews to explore the lived experiences of female Veterans and the impact of military sexual trauma had on their attachment styles and intimate partner relationships. Participants (N=8) were acquired using snowball sampling and respondent driven sampling techniques. Several themes emerged when looking at the impact MST had on female Veteran survivors: culture system failure, reporting procedures, trauma impact, coping, limited mental health support, and relationship impact. Participants who experienced abuse during childhood, had a positive sense of belongingness within the military family unit, and experienced MST, had varying impacts on current intimate partner relationships. One participant reported continued abuse in her current relationships, one reported situational abuse in her relationships, and six reported no current IPV in their current relationships.