Skip to main content
ABCT 2025 59th Annual Convention Main banner
Psychology Tools Ad
Final Program


Icon Legend
This session is not in your schedule.
This session is in your schedule. Click again to remove it.
Presentation Icons
Recorded Session
Recorded Session
Ticketed Session
Ticketed Session
ViewAttendees 1

Symposia

Military and Veterans Psychology

Bridging the Gap between Military Culture and Cognitive Behavioral Psychology Research

4 - (SYM 61) Military-to-civilian Transition Among Veterans Who Experienced Military Sexual Trauma: Considerations for Care

Sunday, November 23, 2025
1:09 PM - 1:30 PM CST
Location: Strand 12 A&B, Level 2
Keywords: Military, Suicide, Implementation
Recommended Readings: Bryan, C. J., & Morrow, C. E. (2011). Circumventing mental health stigma by embracing the warrior culture: Lessons learned from the Defender's Edge program. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 42(1), 16.,   Stanley, I. H., Embrey, E. P., & Bebarta, V. S. (2024). Actualizing Military Suicide Prevention Through Digital Health Modernization. JAMA psychiatry, 81(12), 1173-1174.,   Bond, A. E., Moceri‐Brooks, J., Bandel, S. L., Crifasi, C., Bryan, C. J., Capron, D. W., ... & Anestis, M. D. (2024). Determining who military service members deem credible to discuss firearm safety for suicide prevention. Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior, 54(3), 584-592.,   ,  
Abstract Body

Each year, more than 150,000 service members transition to civilian life, and those with certain military experiences, such as military sexual trauma (MST), may face greater challenges that can influence long-term outcomes. MST includes any sexual harassment and assault during military service, and understanding how these experiences may influence decisions to separate, and their impact on reintegration into civilian life, can inform transition support systems and treatment for related mental health conditions. The current study included 36 post-9/11 veterans who experienced MST and oversampled for veterans of racial and ethnic minorities. Participants completed 90-minute semi-structured qualitative interviews focused on various topics, including separation from the military, reintegration into civilian life following separation, and MST experiences. The study team coded transcripts and used thematic analysis to identify themes and the range of responses for the included topics. Findings showed that experiences of MST were a driver for separating from the military among certain veterans. Mental health conditions, including alcohol and substance use disorders, were also discussed as reasons for separating from the military and veterans discussed differing experiences navigating transition while managing these conditions. Some women veterans described health care experiences that contributed to their separation and affected their transition into civilian life, including traumatic births and challenges receiving adequate care for their physical health conditions. Finally, participants discussed their transition process, including adjusting to civilian life, recovering from trauma and MST experiences, and finding support. Findings from these interviews underscore the impact of MST on veterans’ decision to separate from the military and their subsequent adjustment to civilian life. Findings highlight the need to train civilian mental health providers who deliver services to veterans on the challenges that those who separate from the military face, and particularly when those veterans experienced MST.