Featured Publications
Longitudinal Analysis of Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms, Probable TBI, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Veterans
Portnoy GA, Relyea MR, Presseau C, Orazietti S, Martino S, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Longitudinal Analysis of Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms, Probable TBI, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Veterans. Journal Of Head Trauma Rehabilitation 2022, 37: 34-42. PMID: 34985032, PMCID: PMC8740780, DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000759.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPersistent postconcussion symptomsTraumatic brain injuryProbable traumatic brain injuryPostconcussion symptomsElevated riskVeterans Affairs Medical CenterSelf-reported traumatic brain injuryProspective cohort studyProbable posttraumatic stress disorderCommon risk factorsIntimate Partner Violence PerpetrationCommon predictorsPosttraumatic stress disorderHalf of participantsCohort studyPain intensityHead injuryVA careBrain injuryRisk factorsIPV perpetrationMedical CenterSecondary data analysisBinge drinkingPartner violence perpetrationUnderstanding Gender Differences in Resilience Among Veterans: Trauma History and Social Ecology
Portnoy GA, Relyea MR, Decker S, Shamaskin‐Garroway A, Driscoll M, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Understanding Gender Differences in Resilience Among Veterans: Trauma History and Social Ecology. Journal Of Traumatic Stress 2018, 31: 845-855. PMID: 30431668, DOI: 10.1002/jts.22341.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMilitary sexual traumaTrauma exposureTraumatic eventsTrauma typesCombat exposureResilience scoresSexual abuseSocial supportTraumatic Life Events QuestionnaireStranger violencePoor psychological outcomesLife Events QuestionnaireUnexpected traumaInterpersonal violenceGender differencesHierarchical linear regressionGreater social supportNoninterpersonal traumaPsychological resilienceInterpersonal traumaDeployment preparednessPsychological outcomesSexual traumaSocial-ecological frameworkTrauma historyAccuracy and Acceptability of a Screening Tool for Identifying Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration among Women Veterans: A Pre-Implementation Evaluation
Portnoy GA, Haskell SG, King MW, Maskin R, Gerber MR, Iverson KM. Accuracy and Acceptability of a Screening Tool for Identifying Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration among Women Veterans: A Pre-Implementation Evaluation. Women's Health Issues 2018, 28: 439-445. PMID: 29885901, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2018.04.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWomen veteransLow-burden toolVeterans Health AdministrationIntimate partner violenceHealth care providersMajority of womenAppropriate referralIPV perpetrationCare providersPre-implementation evaluationHealth AdministrationWeb-based surveyHealthcare settingsScreening toolLimited evidenceVeteransWomen's perceptionsPrimary measureReference standardIntimate Partner Violence PerpetrationWomenNational samplePresent studyPartner violencePartner violence perpetration
2024
Implementation and Impact of Intimate Partner Violence Screening Expansion in the Veterans Health Administration: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Evaluation
Portnoy G, Relyea M, Dichter M, Iverson K, Presseau C, Brandt C, Skanderson M, Bruce L, Martino S. Implementation and Impact of Intimate Partner Violence Screening Expansion in the Veterans Health Administration: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Evaluation. JMIR Research Protocols 2024, 13: e59918. PMID: 39194059, PMCID: PMC11391160, DOI: 10.2196/59918.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Health AdministrationImpact of screeningINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERHealth care systemIntimate partner violenceIPV screeningQualitative interviewsCare systemHealth AdministrationConsolidated Framework for Implementation ResearchVeterans Health Administration facilitiesElectronic health record dataIntimate partner violence screeningMixed methods evaluationHealth record dataNational health care systemLongitudinal observational designPotential implementation barriersSignificant public health problemMen's health careClinical practice implicationsPatient populationMethod evaluationRE-AIMPublic health problemMilitary sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma
Webermann A, Gianoli M, Rosen M, Portnoy G, Runels T, Black A. Military sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0280708. PMID: 38206995, PMCID: PMC10783784, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMilitary sexual traumaSexual traumaBlack veteransVeterans Benefits AdministrationVeterans' claimsPosttraumatic stress disorderBenefits administrationWomen veteransWhite veteransSystemic barriersService-connectedStress disorderMen veteransCharacteristics of claimantsStressor typeGenderCombat traumaClaimsRaceArmy veteransDenialEffect sizeUnderserved backgroundsVeteransHigher odds
2023
Military Sexual Trauma and its Association with Mental Health Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Veterans in the United States
Webermann A, Merians A, Gross G, Portnoy G, Rosen M, Pietrzak R. Military Sexual Trauma and its Association with Mental Health Among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Veterans in the United States. LGBT Health 2023, 10: s61-s69. PMID: 37754922, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2023.0074.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMental health symptomsMilitary sexual traumaHealth symptomsHeterosexual veteransCurrent drug use disordersCurrent mental health symptomsCurrent posttraumatic stress disorderMultivariable logistic regressionDrug use disordersPrevalence of MSTMilitary characteristicsSexual traumaPosttraumatic stress disorderRepresentative web-based surveyHigh prevalenceUse disordersU.S. veteransWeb-based surveySociodemographic characteristicsSymptomsBivariate analysisLogistic regressionStress disorderMental healthPrevalenceUnderstanding Veterans' intimate partner violence use and patterns of healthcare utilization
Relyea M, Presseau C, Runels T, Humbert M, Martino S, Brandt C, Haskell S, Portnoy G. Understanding Veterans' intimate partner violence use and patterns of healthcare utilization. Health Services Research 2023, 58: 1198-1208. PMID: 37452496, PMCID: PMC10622301, DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14201.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Health AdministrationHealthcare utilizationIPV useChronic painMedical treatmentSevere chronic painNon-VA providersChronic sleep problemsNon-VA servicesPost-traumatic stress disorderChi-square testRisk factorsOperation New Dawn veteransProvider trainingSleep problemsVA healthcareNew Dawn veteransOperation Enduring FreedomDATA SOURCESWomen veteransOutpatient healthcareHealth AdministrationOperation Iraqi FreedomClinical settingStudy settingThe Role of Unit and Interpersonal Support in Military Sexual Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
Webermann A, Relyea M, Portnoy G, Martino S, Brandt C, Haskell S. The Role of Unit and Interpersonal Support in Military Sexual Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms. Journal Of Interpersonal Violence 2023, 38: 9514-9535. PMID: 37005795, DOI: 10.1177/08862605231165764.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosttraumatic stress disorderMilitary sexual traumaUnit supportPTSD symptomsInterpersonal supportSexual traumaPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomsOperation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation New Dawn VeteransOperation New Dawn veteransNew Dawn veteransWomen veteransStress disorderSymptomsDisorder symptomsWomenService membersGreater PTSD symptomsVeteransTraumaPotential factorsGender differencesMediatorsLess unitsCompensation and Pension Exams for Military Sexual Trauma–Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Examiner Perspectives, Clinical Impacts on Veterans, and Strategies
Webermann A, Nester M, Gianoli M, Black A, Rosen M, Mattocks K, Portnoy G. Compensation and Pension Exams for Military Sexual Trauma–Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Examiner Perspectives, Clinical Impacts on Veterans, and Strategies. Women's Health Issues 2023, 33: 428-434. PMID: 37003918, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2023.02.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVHA mental health careMental health carePosttraumatic stress disorderMilitary sexual traumaVeterans Benefits AdministrationClinical impactHealth careWomen veteransStress disorderSexual traumaPotential clinical impactCurrent psychosocial functioningThousands of veteransPsychotherapy referralsDiagnostic evaluationPsychosocial functioningDisability claimsPTSD symptomsVeteransCareTraumaExaminersExamDisordersExaminers’ responses
2021
Baseline Characteristics from the Women Veterans Cohort Study: Gender Differences and Similarities in Health and Healthcare Utilization
Gaffey AE, Burg MM, Rosman L, Portnoy GA, Brandt CA, Cavanagh CE, Skanderson M, Dziura J, Mattocks KM, Bastian LA, Haskell SG. Baseline Characteristics from the Women Veterans Cohort Study: Gender Differences and Similarities in Health and Healthcare Utilization. Journal Of Women's Health 2021, 30: 944-955. PMID: 33439756, PMCID: PMC8290312, DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8732.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWomen Veterans Cohort StudyCardiovascular risk factorsVeterans Health AdministrationRisk factorsHealthcare utilizationWomen veteransCohort studyHealth outcomesNontraditional cardiovascular risk factorsTraditional cardiovascular risk factorsUnique healthcareMental healthSingle-site painVHA healthcare systemVHA medical centersVeterans Affairs (VA) careHealth risk factorsOutside health servicesPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomsMultisite painBaseline characteristicsPsychosocial comorbiditiesChronic painCardiovascular diseaseMedical Center
2020
Evaluating Bystander Intervention Training to Address Patient Harassment at the Veterans Health Administration
Relyea MR, Portnoy GA, Klap R, Yano EM, Fodor A, Keith JA, Driver JA, Brandt CA, Haskell SG, Adams L. Evaluating Bystander Intervention Training to Address Patient Harassment at the Veterans Health Administration. Women's Health Issues 2020, 30: 320-329. PMID: 32830008, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2020.06.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBystander intervention trainingWomen veteran patientsBystander approachGender harassmentBystander interventionCommunity membersHarassmentIntervention trainingCare staffGroup discussionsHealth care staffVeterans Health AdministrationStaff experiencesEffective facilitationMajority of staffAdministrative staffMost staffStaffStates health care systemVeteran patientsAttitudinal outcomesVA staffHealth Administration
2019
Screening for Military Sexual Trauma Is Associated With Improved HIV Screening in Women Veterans
Reddy SM, Portnoy GA, Bathulapalli H, Womack J, Haskell SG, Mattocks K, Brandt CA, Goulet JL. Screening for Military Sexual Trauma Is Associated With Improved HIV Screening in Women Veterans. Medical Care 2019, 57: 536-543. PMID: 31194701, DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001130.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMilitary sexual traumaWomen veteransCohort studyComprehensive preventive health careVeterans AffairsSexual traumaOdds of HIVPositive MST screenHIV risk factorsWomen Veterans Cohort StudyHealth careCross-sectional studyMental health diagnosesPreventive health careFacility-level clusteringHistory of MSTMST screenHIV screeningMultivariable analysisHIV screenRisk factorsHIVHealth diagnosisBivariate statisticsDemographic characteristicsTrauma and Sexual Risk: Do Men and Women Veterans Differ?
Combellick JL, Dziura J, Portnoy GA, Mattocks KM, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Trauma and Sexual Risk: Do Men and Women Veterans Differ? Women's Health Issues 2019, 29: s74-s82. PMID: 31253246, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.04.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAdult Survivors of Child AbuseAgedBullyingChildCohort StudiesCrime VictimsFemaleHumansIntimate Partner ViolenceMaleMiddle AgedMilitary PersonnelRisk FactorsRisk-TakingSexual BehaviorSurveys and QuestionnairesUnited StatesUnited States Department of Veterans AffairsVeteransVeterans HealthConceptsRisky sexual behaviorWomen veteransSexual behaviorSingle significant risk factorSignificant risk factorsWomen Veterans Cohort StudyVeterans Health AdministrationHistory of traumaRelated health outcomesCohort studyPredictive factorsRisk factorsMilitary-related traumaBinge drinkingMen veteransMilitary exposureHealth AdministrationHealth outcomesTrauma-related experiencesHealth servicesMultivariate analysisProtective factorsSexual riskTraumaAdditional risk
2017
Optimizing trauma-informed intervention for intimate partner violence in veterans: The role of alexithymia
Berke DS, Macdonald A, Poole GM, Portnoy GA, McSheffrey S, Creech SK, Taft CT. Optimizing trauma-informed intervention for intimate partner violence in veterans: The role of alexithymia. Behaviour Research And Therapy 2017, 97: 222-229. PMID: 28826068, DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2017.08.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTrauma-informed interventionsTrauma-informed group interventionIntimate partner violenceRole of alexithymiaPsychological intimate partner violenceCognitive processingEmotion processingMeasures of IPVEmotional experiencePTSD severityGroup interventionETAU participantsAlexithymiaImpulsive aggressionRole of improvementPartner violenceService membersParticipantsCurrent studyRecent researchFeelingsDeficitsPotential facilitatorsVeteransIntervention