Prevalence and Correlates of Military Sexual Trauma in Service Members and Veterans: Results From the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Military sexual trauma (MST) is an ongoing problem. We used a 2002 population-based sample, followed up in 2018, to examine: (1) the prevalence of MST and non-MST in male and female currently serving members and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces, and (2) demographic and military correlates of MST and non-MST. METHODS: Data came from the 2018 Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Mental Health Follow-up Survey (n = 2,941, ages 33 years + ). Individuals endorsing sexual trauma were stratified into MST and non-MST and compared to individuals with no sexual trauma. The prevalence of lifetime MST was computed, and correlates of sexual trauma were examined using multinomial regression analyses. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of MST was 44.6% in females and 4.8% in males. Estimates were comparable between currently serving members and veterans. In adjusted models in both sexes, MST was more likely among younger individuals (i.e., 33-49 years), and MST and non-MST were more likely in those reporting more non-sexual traumatic events. Among females, MST and non-MST were more likely in those reporting lower household income, non-MST was less likely among Officers, and MST was more likely among those with a deployment history and serving in an air environment. Unwanted sexual touching by a Canadian military member or employee was the most prevalent type and context of MST. INTERPRETATION: A high prevalence of MST was observed in a follow-up sample of Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans. Results may inform further research as well as MST prevention efforts.

Factor structure of a coping measure in the 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: Coping has been the subject of numerous studies over the past decades, yet significant debate remains regarding the structure of this construct. DATA AND METHODS: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on 2013 Canadian Forces Mental Health Survey (CFMHS) data to examine the factor structure of coping items. A total of 6,696 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Regular Force members completed a coping inventory that assessed 14 coping strategies (e.g., problem solving, talking to others). RESULTS: Results indicated that coping among CAF Regular Force members was best represented by two factors: positive coping and negative coping. Coping strategies categorized as positive coping included active efforts to confront the stressor or improve one's well-being, whereas those categorized as negative coping reflected passive or avoidant efforts or behaviours that may compromise one's health. Positive coping factor scores were positively associated with perceptions of one's ability to handle difficult problems and day-to-day demands, while negative coping factor scores were negatively associated with such perceptions, suggesting that the factors had good concurrent validity. Additional analyses pointed to higher positive and negative coping scores among female Regular Force members compared with male Regular Force members. The additional analyses also showed generally less favourable coping scores among lower-ranking Regular Force members and those with a history of deployment to Afghanistan relative to their respective counterparts. Lastly, Regular Force members who received mental health training demonstrated higher positive coping scores. DISCUSSION: The report discusses implications for the use of coping indicators in future analyses involving the CFMHS.