Date
3-10-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD)
Chair
Kelly Gorbett
Keywords
posttraumatic growth, Bowen Family Systems Theory, DMST, human trafficking, sex trafficking
Disciplines
Counseling | Psychology
Recommended Citation
Stokesberry, Samantha, "Exploring the Relationships Between Differentiation of Self, Family Unit Functioning, and Posttraumatic Growth in Adult Female Survivors of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8007.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8007
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the relationships between differentiation of self (DoS), family unit functioning (FUF), and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in adult female domestic minor sex trafficking (DMST) survivors in the United States. A Bowen Family Systems Theory framework was used for the theoretical foundation of this study and the research was explored from a Christian worldview. A sample of 30 adult female DMST survivors between the ages of 25-55 completed an anonymous online survey that included four measures: a demographics form, The Differentiation of Self Inventory – Revised (DSI-R), the Family Unit Functioning Questionnaire (FUF-Q), and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory – Expanded (PTGI-X). Data was collected through Qualtrics and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Macintosh (Version 31). Descriptive statistics along with Pearson correlation coefficients (Pearson’s r) were used to analyze the relationships between the three primary variables and variable subfactors. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to assess for relationships between FUF and reported perpetrator profile. The results indicated that a significant positive moderate relationship existed between the key variables of DoS and FUF. Significant positive relationships also existed between the FUF-Q subfactor of Resourcefulness and the PTGI-X subfactor of Spiritual Change as well as the FUF-Q subfactor Goal Structure and the PTGI-X subfactors of New Possibilities and Spiritual Change. No significant relationship existed between perpetrator profile and FUF-Q scores. While there were limitations within this study’s design, the results revealed new insights about the relationships between FUF, DoS, PTG in adult female DMST survivors.
