Guilt and shame among military personnel and veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma

honors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral SciencePsychologyCraig J. BryanObjective: Sexual trauma is more likely to result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women than other types of trauma. Women who have suffered any form of trauma are also more likely to experience guilt and shame than men. However, less is known about the relationship of guilt and shame with trauma among military personnel and veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). The current study investigates the association of MST and PTSD with guilt and shame in a sample of military personnel and veterans. Methods: 422 U.S. military personnel and veterans enrolled in collegeclasses completed standardized self -report measures of trauma history, feelings of guilt and shame, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ii ii Abstract Objective : Sexual trauma is more likely to result in posttraumatic stress disorder (PT SD) in women than other types of trauma. Women who have suffered any form of trauma are also more likely to experience guilt and shame than men. However, less is known about the relationship of guilt and shame with trauma among military personnel and veter ans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). The current study investigates the association of MST and PTSD with guilt and shame in a sample of military personnel and veterans. Method s : 422 U.S. military personnel and veterans enrolled in college classes completed standardized self - report measures of trauma history, feelings of guilt and shame, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results: Self-reported guilt and shame was highest among participants with MST as compared to participants with non-military sexual trauma (F (2, 397) =20.854, p=.000) and no history of sexual trauma (F (2, 397) =18.664, p=.000). Guilt and shame did not differ between men and women. Results of regression indicated that the indirect effect of MST with guilt and shame through PTSD were statistically significant. The indirect effect of nonmilitary sexual trauma (NMST) was not significant. Conclusions: Guilt and shame are higher in both male and female military personnel and veterans with MST as compared to those with no MST. Military personnel and veterans who have experienced MST report higher levels of guilt and shame because they are more likely to report elevated PTSD. The relationship of early life sexual trauma with guilt and shame is not explained by PTSD, however