Date of Conferral

7-17-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Sandra Caramela-Miller

Abstract

Childhood sexual victimization is associated with long-term psychological, emotional, and functional challenges that may persist into adulthood. Despite a growing body of literature on childhood trauma, limited research has explored its residual effects on adult functionality among Black Caribbean immigrants. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the residual effects of childhood sexual victimization on adult functionality among Black Caribbean immigrants. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to recruit 9 participants through social media platforms. Rational choice theory served as the conceptual framework to examine how trauma-related and sociocultural factors shaped participants' decision-making processes. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a transcendental phenomenological approach and an inductive process. Significant statements were identified and clustered into meaning units, followed by the development of textural and structural descriptions to capture the essence of participants' lived experiences. Analysis across the two research questions revealed 14 emergent themes representing psychological, relational, behavioral, and occupational dimensions of adult functionality. Findings demonstrated that childhood sexual victimization continued to disrupt adult functioning across multiple life domains, with persistent experiences including trust issues, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. Implications for positive social change include increased public awareness of the long-term effects of childhood sexual victimization and support for culturally responsive, trauma-informed prevention and intervention efforts within Black Caribbean immigrant communities.

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