Researching the long-term psychosocial impacts of combat-related genital injuries
About the study
A pilot study has indicated that combat-related genital injuries had long-term implications on psychosocial well-being, sexual functioning and intimate relationships, highlighting unmet support needs and the need for a larger scale study to better understand the support needs of this group (Keeling & Hammond, 2025).
To address this, the AFTER Study is now being conducted and consists of survey and interview data collection. We are currently recruiting ex-Servicemen who have experienced a combat-related genital injury, intimate scarring (e.g. scarring around the groin, buttocks, genitals, thighs, lower stomach, or pelvic region), or loss of function due to injury that impacts sexual/intimate relationships (e.g. spinal cord injury). Data collected will help inform interventions and support materials for those with combat-related genital injuries.
We will also be conducting an interview study with current or former partners of ex-Servicemen who experienced combat-related genital injury, intimate scarring or loss of function due to injury that impacts sexual activities. This stream of the study is currently in the ethics stage and we will be recruiting shortly. In the meantime, we are looking for a lived-experience Research Advisor to support us in the co-creation of materials.
How to participate
Ex-Servicemen
To complete the online survey and/or express interest in the interview study click here.
Partners
Email us at [email protected] to express interest in becoming a Research Advisor.
About the team
The study is run by a collaborative team across King’s College London, RAND Europe, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Combat Stress and is taking a participatory approach. This means the study is conducted in collaboration with research advisors who have themselves experienced combat-related genital injury. This research is supported by The Scar Free Foundation via funds from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust. To read more about our team head to our blog post here.
Contact us
- For more information about the study contact us at: [email protected]
- Stay up to date via our LinkedIn and Facebook
Resources
Media
- Centre for Evidence for the Armed Forces Community: New study spotlight
- The Scar Free Foundation blog
- Blesma Autumn 2025 newsletter (P4-5)
- Blesma Winter 2025 newsletter (P16-18)
Pre-registration
- PROSPERO: Systematic review of the psychosocial and sexual impacts of conflict-related genital injuries, intimate scarring, and loss of sexual function in male military personnel
- PROSPERO: Exploring psychosocial interventions for genital injuries/illnesses, intimate scarring, or loss of sexual function in males: A systematic review
- Open Science Framework: The AFTER Study: Armed Forces genital Trauma and psychosexual Experiences Research