Date
12-19-2024
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
James J. Kasten
Keywords
military, sexual trauma, institutional betrayal, help-seeking, veteran
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
Tolbert, Victoria Sheree, "A Phenomenological Study of the Experience of Institutional Betrayal and Help-Seeking Behaviors of Military Sexual Trauma" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 6398.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/6398
Abstract
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe military sexual trauma survivors' experiences of military institutional betrayal and help-seeking behaviors. The study was grounded in Jennifer Freyd’s institutional betrayal theory. Using institutional betrayal as a framework was useful in illuminating the effects of institutional betrayal on survivors' perceptions of trust, safety, and decision-making regarding seeking support. The study aimed to understand the complex dynamics between institutional responses, perceived betrayal, and subsequent support-seeking actions among MST survivors within military contexts. Data collection included in-depth interviews, journaling, and cognitive representations with purposively sampled MST survivors. The study used thematic analysis to uncover subjective themes and meaning in survivors' narratives. The analysis focused on elucidating the intricate interplay between the experiences of betrayal, institutional responses, and survivors' subsequent navigation of support systems. The analysis revealed the themes of distrust, an unsupportive reporting environment, and delayed help-seeking behaviors among participants.
