Effect of Trauma Type and Trauma Burden on Self-Efficacy for Physical Exercise in Military Veterans

Authors

Kaley E. Davis, Marquette University
Meghan M. Bennett, Marquette University
Cecilia J. Hillard, Medical College of Wisconsin
Jeffrey Whittle, Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Zeno Franco, Medical College of Wisconsin
Rachel E. Bollaert, Marquette UniversityFollow
Jacklynn M. Fitzgerald, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2024

Publisher

SAGE

Source Publication

Trauma

Source ISSN

1460-4086

Original Item ID

DOI: 10.1177/14604086241231373

Abstract

Introduction

United States (U.S.) military veterans experience significant physical health problems. Lifestyle modifications, such as increasing daily physical activity, are often considered the first course of action in treatment for the general public. However, veterans report low levels of physical activity, often due to perceived barriers to engaging in exercise. Trauma exposure type and cumulative trauma burden may be differentially associated with exercise attitudes and behaviors.

Methods

We surveyed U.S. military veterans on perceived self-efficacy to overcome barriers to engaging in exercise and physical activity levels. Additionally, we explored the relationship between the type of traumatic event exposure and cumulative trauma on these constructs.

Results

Veterans exposed to sexually aggressive traumatic events (vs. did not) reported significantly lower physical activity levels; no difference in perceived self-efficacy to overcome barriers to exercise existed between groups. Greater cumulative trauma was associated with lower physical activity and self-efficacy to engage in exercise.

Conclusion

These novel results indicate that both trauma type and cumulative trauma burden should be considered when designing exercise interventions for military veterans.

Comments

Accepted version. Trauma, (2024). Online before print. DOI. © The Author(s) 2024, published by SAGE Publications. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Davis, Kaley E.; Bennett, Meghan M.; Hillard, Cecilia J.; Whittle, Jeffrey; Franco, Zeno; Bollaert, Rachel E.; and Fitzgerald, Jacklynn M., "Effect of Trauma Type and Trauma Burden on Self-Efficacy for Physical Exercise in Military Veterans" (2024). Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications. 236.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/exsci_fac/236