Featured Publications
Understanding 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 history
2024
Military 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 healthPrevalenceThe 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
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 characteristics