Suchergebnisse

LAY SUMMARY The human dimension of war can be traumatizing. For women serving as active-duty service members, the atrocities of war can be exacerbated by sexual harassment and abuse, known as military sexual trauma (MST). The limited research on MST among U.S. Veterans suggests that as many as 1 in 3 Veterans experiencing homelessness were exposed to MST. MST can have long-lasting consequences, including alcohol and drug problems, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, chronic health problems, and unstable housing and homelessness. This qualitative exploratory study used a life course perspective to examine how MST and other experiences influenced female Veterans' pathways into homelessness.

Introduction: Homelessness among Veterans is a significant problem in the United States, and female Veterans, one of the fastest-growing groups in the homeless population, are four times more likely to become homeless than their male peers. The purpose of this article is to share findings of a qualitative study that examined the life course that created a pathway into homelessness for 14 female Veterans in the United States. Methods: Data were collected using a life history grid and semi-structured interview guide in two 90-minute face-to-face interviews with each participant. Qualitative content analysis of the interview transcripts was conducted to identify major themes across the lifespans of study participants. Results: Six major themes shared by the participants emerged: traumatic experiences across the lifespan, entering the military to escape circumstances, racism, gender-related discrimination and sexism, difficulty transitioning from military to Veteran status, and positive childhood experiences and proud moments during military service. Discussion: The findings suggest a range of policy, housing and service needs. The study demonstrates the unique experiences of female Veterans that require gender-specific responses. The female Veterans in this study experienced exposure to multiple traumatic events pre-military, during service, and post service. Female Veterans' increased risk of becoming homeless indicates the need for practitioners to address mental health, substance use, re-integration stability, and other health care needs and use trauma-informed interventions to ensure high-quality care. Practitioners also need to be well-versed in military and Veteran culture to provide the linkages to care and support systems required by these Veterans.