Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Julie Lindahl

Abstract

Military sexual trauma (MST) is a phenomenon that is in the spotlight currently. More and more service members are coming forward to report their MST stories. Experts have found that MST survivors endure numerous psychological, physical, emotional, and career challenges. Their symptoms have been found to be more severe than those of other types of combat-related trauma, and many end up taking their own lives due to the severity of their symptoms. Researchers have found that resilience varies from culture to culture, and understanding how research impacts an individual’s resilience is key in creating the best treatment possible. There is a gap in the literature on how military culture impacts resilience in survivors of MST. A qualitative phenomenological study that was exploratory in nature was conducted. A nine-question open-ended questionnaire was used to interview mental health professionals who met the criteria for the study. The audio from each interview was transcribed, the text was then coded, and themes emerged. The results showed that military culture does impact the resilience of MST survivors both positively and negatively. While the warrior ethos builds strength, it also leaves victims thinking that admitting or reporting trauma reveals a weakness. While comradery and a sense of family provide community, they also lead to feeling a larger sense of betrayal when victims are assaulted by those they viewed as part of their network and family. While there are programs available for MST survivors, many are inadequate to address their needs. This research promotes positive social change by providing insight into the impact that military culture has on MST and can be used to improve treatment, training, and legislation.

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