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Childhood exposure to family violence and attrition in the Navy

Lex L Merrill1, Valerie A Stander, Cynthia J Thomsen

  • 1Behavioral Science and Epidemiology Department, P.O. Box 85122, Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92186-5122, USA.

Military Medicine
|July 30, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Childhood family violence significantly increases military attrition risk. Experiencing multiple forms of abuse, including child physical abuse, child sexual abuse (CSA), and domestic violence, dramatically elevates the likelihood of recruits leaving service.

Area of Science:

  • Military health
  • Psychological trauma
  • Sociological impact of violence

Background:

  • Childhood family violence is a prevalent issue with potential long-term consequences.
  • Understanding risk factors for military attrition is crucial for retention and support services.
  • Previous research has explored various factors influencing military service completion, but the specific impact of diverse childhood family violence types requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between childhood exposure to family violence and attrition in U.S. Navy recruits.
  • To differentiate the impact of child physical abuse, child sexual abuse (CSA), and domestic violence on military attrition.
  • To examine gender-specific effects and the influence of multiple violence exposures on attrition risk.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study design involving 5,491 U.S. Navy recruits.
  • Data collection on childhood exposure to physical abuse, CSA, and domestic violence.
  • Statistical analysis to determine the relationship between family violence and attrition within 4 years of enlistment, considering gender and timing of attrition.

Main Results:

  • 55% of recruits reported experiencing at least one form of childhood family violence.
  • 34% of recruits attrited within 4 years.
  • All forms of childhood violence were individually linked to attrition. When assessed together, all three violence types predicted attrition in men, while only CSA predicted attrition in women.
  • Recruits experiencing all three types of violence showed substantially higher attrition rates (303% for men, 139% for women) compared to those with no violence exposure.
  • CSA was associated with early attrition, whereas child physical abuse and domestic violence were not linked to attrition timing.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood family violence is a significant predictor of military attrition among Navy recruits.
  • The type and multiplicity of childhood violence exposures differentially impact attrition risk, with distinct patterns observed between men and women.
  • CSA is particularly associated with early attrition, highlighting the need for targeted support for recruits with histories of sexual abuse.

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