Date of Conferral

5-26-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Benita Stiles-smith

Abstract

Intimate relationships with individuals who have committed sex offenses significantly stigmatize and traumatize partners. Partners also face barriers to effective treatment, negatively impacting both themselves and their children affected by these offenses. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to gain an understanding of partners’ experiences with support groups in coping with trauma symptoms and stigma, thus addressing a gap in the literature. Grounded in theoretical concepts of trauma, mutual aid, and stigma, how social support dynamics facilitate healing by investigating coping strategies and support group stages to understand participants’ healing journeys were examined. Data were collected from 10 participants aged 18 and older, all with past intimate relationships involving sex offenders, who were active in support groups and whose ex-partners were no longer a legal or physical threat. Data analysis occurred through both inductive and deductive thematic analysis. Findings revealed several transformative outcomes: pathways to healing and growth, overcoming barriers to trust and safety in trauma recovery, navigating trauma symptoms, and fostering personal resilience. Themes specific to group process stages highlighted the lingering influence of social context on healing, sharing trauma for emotional release and growth, fostering empathy and collective trust, cultivating supportive relationships for personal transformation, and transformative advocacy efforts. The study underscores the potential for positive social change through addressing the needs of individuals affected by sex offenses and promoting a safer and more supportive society with use of support groups utilizing mutual aid models.

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