Work

Treatment outcomes of sexual minority women (SMW) veterans with military sexual trauma (MST).

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Although sexual minority women (SMW) veterans are disproportionately impacted by military sexual trauma and its negative consequences, little research has examined effective treatments in this population. This secondary analysis aims to address this gap by reporting outcomes of SMW veterans participating in a clinical trial of skills training in affective and interpersonal regulation (STAIR) compared with present-centered therapy (PCT) for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder. METHOD: tests and piecewise mixed-effects regression models were conducted to evaluate SMW veterans' outcomes. RESULTS: = .002) than heterosexual participants. Regardless of sexual orientation, participants had greater benefits in STAIR. Therapeutic alliance and treatment satisfaction were high in both STAIR and PCT with no difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: SMW veterans may particularly benefit from therapies that focus on emotion regulation, interpersonal skills, and/or provide strategies that address day-to-day stressors (e.g., STAIR, PCT). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy

DOI: 10.1037/tra0002077

Authors: Katerine Rashkovsky, Danielle M. Morabito, Bettye Chargin, Cindy J. Chang, Leslie A. Morland, Marylene Cloitre

Institutions: VA San Diego Healthcare System, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, New York University

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs