Psychiatric disorders, suicidal ideation, and sexually transmitted infections among post-deployment veterans who utilize digital social media for sexual partner seeking

- Use of digital social media to find sexual partners (DSMSP +) is common among veterans.
- DSMSP + is associated with PTSD, insomnia, depression and suicidality.
- DSMSP + is associated with hypersexuality and sexually transmitted infections.

IntroductionDigital social media platforms represent outlets through which individuals may find partners for sexual encounters. Using a sample of US post-deployment military veterans, the current study evaluated the prevalence of digital sex seeking as well as clinical correlates of psychopathology, suicidal ideation, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).MethodsUsing data from a baseline telephone interview and follow-up internet-based survey, we examined the prevalence of sexual partnering via digital social media platforms in a national sample of 283 US combat veterans.ResultsAmong veterans, 35.5% of men and 8.5% of women reported having used digital social media to meet someone for sex. Individuals who reported having used digital social media to find sexual partners (DSMSP+) as compared to those who did not (DSMSP-) were more likely to be young, male, and in the Marine Corps. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, DSMSP+ status was associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (OR = 2.26, p = 0.01), insomnia (OR = 1.99, p = 0.02), depression (OR = 1.95, p = 0.03), hypersexuality (OR = 6.16, p < 0.001), suicidal ideation (OR = 3.24, p = 0.04), and treatment for an STI (OR = 1.98, p = 0.04).ConclusionAmong US post-deployment military veterans, DSMSP+ behaviors were prevalent, particularly among men. The association between DSMSP+ behaviors and PTSD, insomnia, depression, hypersexuality, suicidal ideation, and STIs suggest that veterans who engage in DSMSP+ behaviors should be particularly thoroughly screened and evaluated for these psychiatric concerns and counseled on the benefits of safe sexual practices.