Date of Graduation

Summer 8-15-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Program

Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

First Advisor

Dr. Dellanira Garcia

Second Advisor

Dr. Madhur Kulkarni

Third Advisor

Dr. Rick Ferm

Abstract

While large efforts have been made to address military sexual assault, there are still barriers in the help-seeking journey that need attention. This study aimed to examine barriers and facilitators to formal and informal help-seeking behaviors and to understand the role of stigma in survivors' help-seeking behaviors for female military sexual assault survivors. Through semi-structured interviews, the study explored the help-seeking experiences and mental health sequela of fourteen female military sexual assault survivors. This study focused on cis-gender women over the age of eighteen who experienced a military sexual assault, by another military service member, while on active-duty. Women shared their narratives, and how their help-seeking experiences were impacted by cultural norms, facilitators, barriers, and affected growth for some of the women. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) produced seven themes in help-seeking: types of help-seeking, barriers to help-seeking, facilitators to help-seeking, coping, mental health impacts, disclosure, and post-traumatic growth. Findings from this study further inform the research community of facilitators and barriers to help-seeking and informs changes to decrease the mental health impact on survivors by increasing areas of support. The findings of this research highlighted that help-seeking was impacted by military culture, societal attitudes toward sexual assault, and self-perceptions of mental health. Further research is needed to minimize the widespread barriers to help-seeking, decrease the delay in receiving mental health services, and ultimately address and eliminate underlying factors that perpetuate military sexual assault.

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