Childhood Trauma More Common among Military Officials and Veterans than in Civilians: Study

A study finds the incidence of childhood abuse and traumatic experiences are more prevalent in the lives of military personnel and veterans.

Psychological trauma experienced during early years puts an individual in a state of extreme confusion about good and bad, causes insecurity, self-destructive tendencies and also damages self-esteem.  Sexual abuse, peer victimization, bullying, poverty and domestic violence endured in childhood increase risk of mental distress, depression, drug and alcohol addiction, forced crime and suicidal ideation. In a recent survey, experts found a significant number of men and women enlisted in the military and defense forces suffered from any of these disturbing incidents in younger years.

The authors looked at the health survey records of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that involved telephonic interviews of adults from 10 U.S. states and Washington D.C. about any atrocities faced during childhood.

Their findings revealed over 25 percent of veterans were victims of at least four childhood traumas compared to 13 percent of civilians. In addition, the study also noted physical and martial abuse was more common in women irrespective of their veteran or civilian status.

"These results suggest that, since the beginning of the all-volunteer U.S. military in 1973, there has been a meaningful shift in childhood experiences among men who have served in the military," said  John Blosnich, study author and researcher at the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Healthcare System, reports theBoston Globe.

He believes in researching more to, "to explore whether the differences in adverse childhood experiences are associated with health outcomes among men and women with military service history."

The survey results contradict past data that suggests 'enlisting in the army is the best way to escape troubling events in childhood and also to lead a healthy life'.  The researchers add that investigating pre-existing mental conditions and concerns resulting from past sufferings can help prevent post-traumatic stress disorder in service members.

People who go through a disturbing past can still lead a healthy and hopeful life by receiving counseling and effective treatments to improve mental health.

More information is available online in JAMA Psychiatry.