Date of Conferral

3-30-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Leilani Gjellstad

Abstract

The United States Department of Defense and Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that female veterans and nurses experience work-related trauma at rates of 51% or higher. While many studies have examined their mental health outcomes, posttraumatic worsening of physical health has been less studied in this population. This generic qualitative inquiry was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the subjective lived experiences of female nurses and veterans' work-related traumatic exacerbation of an existing respiratory disorder. The coping strategies developed, the potential barriers they overcame, and the support systems used were examined. The theoretical framework that grounded this study was the biopsychosocial model. Ten female nurses and veterans who met the inclusion criteria were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling. To collect rich, descriptive data, this study was guided by two research questions that explored coping strategies, barriers, and support systems needed to overcome the traumatic experience. Face-to-face, in-depth, semi structured interviews were conducted using a self-developed interview protocol. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to develop the following five themes: (a) trauma-induced dysregulation of breathing, (b) active coping through self-regulation strategies, (c) role of professional mental health support in coping skills development,(d) influence of social support on coping and daily functioning, and (e) barriers to effective coping and recovery. Positive social change implications include systemically building resilience into these professional roles to optimize posttraumatic mental status and outlook, as well as any potential physical symptoms.

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