Adversity during military service: the impact of military sexual trauma, emotional bullying and physical assault on the mental health and well-being of women veterans

Journal article

Veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST) often face barriers to help-seeking. Mental health mobile applications (apps) such as Beyond MST, developed by the National Center for PTSD, can expand access to evidence-based coping tools, psychoeducation, and resources. However, user engagement is crucial for these apps to be effective. Researchers are exploring factors impacting app engagement, with emerging evidence suggesting that symptom severity may play a key role. This study examined whether the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and posttraumatic negative cognitions, as well as level of well-being, are associated with app engagement. Anonymous app usage data from March 11, 2021, through July 29, 2024, were processed and analyzed for 27,518 users of Beyond MST. Linear and logistic regression analyses on subsamples of users who completed in-app symptom assessments evaluated if assessment scores predict duration of app use, frequency of feature access, and user retention. Descriptive statistics revealed that subsamples were highly symptomatic and engaged at low levels. Statistically significant relationships were found between assessment scores and duration of app use, as well as frequency of feature access, but not user retention. Effect sizes were small, potentially limiting the clinical significance. Beyond MST shows potential in supporting survivors of MST, but further research is needed to understand relationships between posttraumatic symptoms and app engagement to enhance app effectiveness

Authors: Hendrikx, LJ; Williamson, V; Murphy, D

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Journal: BMJ Military Health
• Volume: 169
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 419-424
• Publication date: 2021-10-25
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001948
• EISSN: 2633-3775
• ISSN: 2633-3767
• Language: English
• Keywords: Harassment; Medicine; Mental health; Loneliness; Psychiatry; Military service; Medical emergency; Suicide prevention; Psychology; Social psychology; Clinical psychology; Poison control; Occupational safety and health; Military personnel