Exploring the Impact of Gender-specific Challenges During and After Military Service on Female UK Veterans

Abstract: Women represent a modestly increasing proportion of the UK Armed Forces. Despite this, little research in the United Kingdom has examined the experiences of female Veterans. Te current study aimed to explore gender-specifc challenges that women may face during and afer military service. Methods: A sample of 750 female UK Army Veterans were recruited in a cross-sectional study. Participants completed a survey with a list of potential gender-specifc challenges that women may face during military service and as Veterans. Te survey also collected socio-demographic and military history data. Participants completed psychometric measures that assessed for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), common mental health disorders (CMDs), alcohol use, physical health, and loneliness. Findings indicated that demographics such as non-voluntary discharge from service, having a frst child during military service, or not currently being employed were associated with reporting a greater number of challenges during military service. Experiencing PTSD, CMDs, physical health difculties, or loneliness was also signifcantly associated with experiencing more challenges while in the military. Reporting experiences of female Veteran challenges was associated with holding a lower rank during service, leaving the military against their will, currently not working, living in a rural area, and currently experiencing loneliness. Findings suggest that female Veterans experience gender-related challenges associated with health difculties during service and as Veterans. Future research is needed to explore the needs of female Veterans and servicewomen.