Women and Black Women Less Likely to be Service Connected for PTSD in Post 9/11 Veterans

What is it about?

There have been decades of research showing that female Veterans are less likely than male Veterans to be service-connected for PTSD, and the driver for this difference is men's greater exposure to combat. However, there are such systematic differences in service connection rates by service era that it can be difficult to directly compare men and women's service connection outcomes. In this study, we limited ourselves to the most recent service era. We found that there remains a gender difference in PTSD service connection, and it continues to be explained by men's higher exposure to combat. We also, happily, found no race difference in service connection among the men. However, black women were less likely than other women to be service connected for PTSD.

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Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Although it might seem like it is "okay" for there to be a gender difference in PTSD service connection--because it is driven by differences in combat exposure--the fact is, survivors of sexual assault are 2 times more likely to develop PTSD than are individuals exposed to combat. Thus, this "combat preference" is worrisome. PTSD service connection is associated with reduced odds of poverty and homelessness and with better long term resolution of PTSD symptoms. It is important to ensure survivors of military sexual assault not be disadvantaged in the service connection process. We could not identify a reason why Black women were less likely to be service connected for PTSD compared to other Veterans, and this needs further research.

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