Child Sexual Abuse, Military Sexual Trauma, and Psychological Distress among Male Military Personnel and Veterans

Previous research has demonstrated increased psychological distress and increased risk of revicitimization for survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA). However, little is know about the associations among CSA, military sexual trauma (MST), and psychological distress among male military personnel and veterans. These issues were examined in the present study in a sample of 328 male military personnel and veterans enrolled in college. Results indicated that participants with a history of CSA were significantly more likely to experience MST (50%) than participants without a history of CSA (4%). Depression, posttraumatic stress, and guilt were significantly higher among participants with CSA and/or MST as compared to those with no history of sexual victimization, even when adjusting for age and combat exposure. Guilt significantly mediated the relationship between CSA and current psychological distress.