Associations between intimate partner violence victimization and employment outcomes among male and female post-9/11 veterans.

OBJECTIVE: Given high rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among veterans, along with employment-related difficulties, a better understanding of IPV's implications for employment functioning is needed among post-9/11 veterans, especially male veterans. This study aimed to examine the gender-based associations between IPV victimization types (physical, psychological, and sexual) and employment outcomes (absenteeism, presenteeism, and job satisfaction). METHOD: A national sample of male and female post-9/11 veterans completed a survey administered approximately 5.5 years after deployment including IPV victimization and employment measures. This study used data from 407 veterans (52% women) in intimate relationships to examine the associations between IPV victimization and employment outcomes by gender, using regression-based analyses. RESULTS: Sexual IPV was significantly associated with absenteeism and presenteeism for women but not men, and physical IPV was significantly associated with presenteeism for men but not women. There were also marginal associations between psychological IPV and both absenteeism and job satisfaction overall, regardless of gender. CONCLUSION: All IPV types were linked to employment functioning for both male and female post-9/11 veterans. These findings can aid in the development of trauma-informed psychosocial intervention efforts for women and men that target employment functioning as well as IPV to help victims of partner violence achieve healthy and stable lifestyles. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Accuracy and Acceptability of a Screening Tool for Identifying Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration among Women Veterans: A Pre-Implementation Evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: Veterans are at heightened risk for perpetrating intimate partner violence (IPV), yet there is limited evidence to inform practice and policy for the detection of IPV perpetration. The present study evaluated the accuracy and acceptability of a potential IPV perpetration screening tool for use with women veterans. DESIGN: A national sample of women veterans completed a 2016 web-based survey that included a modified 5-item Extended-Hurt/Insult/Threaten/Scream (Modified E-HITS) and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS-2). Items also assessed women's perceptions of the acceptability and appropriateness of the modified E-HITS questions for use in healthcare settings. Accuracy statistics, including sensitivity and specificity, were calculated using the CTS-2 as the reference standard. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary measures included the Modified E-HITS (index test), CTS-2 (reference standard), and items assessing acceptability. RESULTS: This study included 187 women, of whom 31 women veterans (16.6%) reported past-6-month IPV perpetration on the CTS-2. The Modified E-HITS demonstrated good overall accuracy (area under the curve, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.78-0.94). In addition, the majority of women perceived the questions to be acceptable and appropriate. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate that the Modified E-HITS is promising as a low-burden tool for detecting of IPV perpetration among women veterans. This tool may help the Veterans Health Administration and other health care providers detect IPV perpetration and offer appropriate referrals for comprehensive assessment and services.

Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Associated Implications for Health and Functioning Among Male and Female Post-9/11 Veterans.

BACKGROUND: There is increased emphasis on identifying patients who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in Department of Veterans Affairs and other health care settings. A better understanding of IPV's implications for health and functioning is needed among post-911 Veterans, and especially male Veterans, to inform IPV screening and response. OBJECTIVES: To identify past 6-month IPV experienced among partnered post-9/11 Veterans and examine sex-based associations between IPV and health. RESEARCH DESIGN: A national sample of Veterans completed a survey that included measures of IPV victimization and health. Types of IPV and relationships with health and functioning were examined separately for male and female Veterans. SUBJECTS: In total, 407 post-9/11 Veterans (52% women) in intimate relationships. MEASURES: IPV victimization was assessed with the Conflict Tactics Scales-Revised. Health and functioning indicators included posttraumatic stress disorder (PCL-5) and depression (Beck Depression Inventory-Primary Care) symptoms, physical health-related quality of life (Short-Form 12-item Health Survey), and occupational functioning (Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning). RESULTS: Nearly two thirds of both men and women reported past 6-month IPV, with greatest endorsement of psychological aggression (65% of men, 59% of women). A total of 8% of men and 7% of women reported physical IPV and 4% of men and 7% of women reported sexual IPV. Psychological aggression was strongly linked with mental health for both sexes and greater occupational impairment for men. Physical and sexual IPV were associated with more severe mental health symptoms for women while physical IPV was negatively associated with physical health-related quality of life for men. CONCLUSIONS: Recent IPV victimization, especially psychological aggression, is a key health issue for partnered male and female post-9/11 Veterans. Practice and research implications are discussed.