Date
6-17-2026
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Sarah F. Walsh
Keywords
serious mental illness, trauma-informed care, trauma, employment
Disciplines
Education
Recommended Citation
McDowell, Andrea Evon, "The Lived Experiences of Individuals With Serious Mental Illness And Cumulative Trauma Seeking And Maintaining Employment While Receiving Holistic Trauma-Informed Care: A Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8602.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8602
Abstract
The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) and cumulative trauma (CT) seeking and maintaining employment while receiving holistic trauma-informed care (TIC). Heidegger’s hermeneutic phenomenology, which evolved from Husserl’s method of phenomenology, served as the methodological framework for this study. The goal of hermeneutic phenomenology is to understand how individuals see themselves within their natural environments. Hermeneutic phenomenology was a valid design for this study because it allowed the participants to describe their SMI/CT and their lived experiences with holistic TIC. The participants in this study consisted of 11 individuals (three males and eight females) between the ages of 23 and 65 who were diagnosed with SMI/CT. Individuals were recruited from the Center for Mental Health, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, and community partners that serve individuals with SMI/CT. Data were collected from the participants using semi-structured interview questions, a focus group, and journal writing to answer three research questions. Data analysis was conducted using open coding and horizontalization (Creswell & Poth, 2025). Finally, to build the trustworthiness of the study, triangulation of data, peer reviews, and participant review (member checks) were utilized. Findings showed that three research questions were answered developing four themes from participants who shared their lived experiences with SMI/CT seeking and maintaining employment while receiving holistic TIC. Despite various obstacles, all participants were actively seeking solutions to help them overcome barriers to employment. However, they cannot succeed in this endeavor alone. All participants made meaning of their SMI/CT and emphasized the need for financial and emotional support.
