Sexual Trauma, Suicide, and Overdose in a National Cohort of Older Veterans.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Little is known about the association between military sexual trauma (MST) and risk for suicide-related outcomes later in life.

Objective

To determine the association between MST and risk for suicide, overdose, and related mortality among older men and women at specific age landmarks and to investigate whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) modifies risk.

Design

Longitudinal cohort study; baseline in 2012 to 2013, with follow-up through 31 December 2020.

Setting

All U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers in the United States.

Participants

5 059 526 veterans aged 50 years or older.

Measurements

Positive MST screening result, nonfatal suicide attempt, death by suicide, or overdose death.

Results

MST was docu

SUBMITTER: Hargrave AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12186832 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature