biostudies-literatureMcLean CPRRD VAU.S. Department of DefenseVAU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs1792-1800https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9538243biostudies-literatureUnknown35(6)Trauma-exposed veterans receiving mental health care may have an elevated risk of experiencing COVID-19-related difficulties. Using data from several ongoing clinical trials (N = 458), this study examined exposure to COVID-19-related stressors and their associations with key sociodemographic factors and mental health outcomes. The results showed that exposure to COVID-19-related stressors was common, higher among veterans who were racial/ethnic minorities d = 0.32, and associated with elevated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), r = .288, and depressive symptom severity, r = .246. Women veterans experienced more difficulty accessing social support, d = 0.31, and higher levels of COVID-19-related distress, d = 0.31, than men. Qualitative data were consistent with survey findings and highlighted the broader societal context in veterans' experience of COVID-19-related distress. These findings may inform future research on the impact of the pandemic on veterans, particularly those who are women and members of minoritized racial/ethnic groups, as well as mental health treatment planning for this population.Journal of traumatic stressThe mental health impact of COVID-19-related stressors among treatment-seeking trauma-exposed veterans.PMC9538243I01 RX002412W81XWH‐15‐1‐0330I01RX002412-01A1IIR 16-070I01RX002412‐01A1I01RX002093‐01IIR 16‐070I01 RX002093I01RX002093-01Wachsman TCloitre MMorland LMcLean CPHooper VNorman SBfalseThe mental health impact of COVID-19-related stressors among treatment-seeking trauma-exposed veterans.Trauma-exposed veterans receiving mental health care may have an elevated risk of experiencing COVID-19-related difficulties. Using data from several ongoing clinical trials (N = 458), this study examined exposure to COVID-19-related stressors and their associations with key sociodemographic factors and mental health outcomes. The results showed that exposure to COVID-19-related stressors was common, higher among veterans who were racial/ethnic minorities d = 0.32, and associated with elevated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), r = .288, and depressive symptom severity, r = .246. Women veterans experienced more difficulty accessing social support, d = 0.31, and higher levels of COVID-19-related distress, d = 0.31, than men. Qualitative data were consistent with survey findings and highlighted the broader societal context in veterans' experience of COVID-19-related distress. These findings may inform future research on the impact of the pandemic on veterans, particularly those who are women and members of minoritized racial/ethnic groups, as well as mental health treatment planning for this population.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Dec2025-04-04T22:33:41.277Z2025-02-19T03:22:58.904ZS-EPMC95382433606548710.1002/jts.22874