
Mindfulness Awareness for Post-Traumatic Stress of Sexual Assault Victims in the United States Army Reserves
Objectives Approximately 1 in 100 men and 5 in 100 women are sexually assaulted while on active military duty each year with up to 94% of sexual assault victims at risk for developing a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Foa, McLean, & Zang 2018; Kimberling 2017). Mindfulness-based treatments have emerged as an adjunctive or alternative intervention approach to PTSD (Boyd, Lanius, & McKinnon 2017). A three-session course was provided to 34 leaders of the Combat Support Hospital (CSH) Reserve unit to establish champions within the unit. Methods Pre-and post-surveys assessed the champions’ ability to identify signs and symptoms of PTSD in soldiers and comfort levels of utilizing mindfulness techniques and resources. Data was collected and analyzed using the paired-t test. Champions were given information about sexual assault in the military, short- and long-term effects of sexual assaults, and resources on using mindfulness to combat PTSD. Utilizing videos, personal stories, PowerPoint slides, and interactive exercises, participants were immersed in mindfulness awareness and how it can benefit soldiers experiencing PTSD secondary to sexual assault. Results Nine participants completed three training sessions, ten completed two sessions, and fifteen completed one session. There was a 50% increase in likelihood to identify signs and symptoms of PTSD, increased awareness of sexual assault and PTSD, and confidence with the champions’ teaching mindfulness techniques to soldiers suffering from PTSD. Conclusions A champion awareness project utilizing mindfulness will be beneficial in military units to assist soldiers experiencing PTSD secondary to sexual assault.
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Work Title | Mindfulness Awareness for Post-Traumatic Stress of Sexual Assault Victims in the United States Army Reserves |
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License | All rights reserved |
Work Type | Project |
Deposited | April 19, 2020 |
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