The Impact of Sexual Assault on College Students' Daily Occupations: A Phenomenological Approach

<p>It is estimated that 1 in 4 women experience sexual violence while in college (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006), which may result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Occupational therapy has been used to provide interventions for PTSD, but there is a gap in the literature addressing occupational therapy intervention for college students who have experienced sexual assault. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to inquire into students’ lived experiences of daily occupations while in college after having experienced sexual assault, through thematic analysis of data from two interviews conducted in Kentucky and Ohio. Six meaningful themes were developed: changes in emotion, challenges with academics, interruption of social patterns, changes to work routines, changes to self-care routines, and changes in sleep patterns. The essence of the participant’s lived stories emerged: sexual assault results in alterations to survivor’s emotions and daily occupations, disrupting participation and performance in college. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Grantor dc:publisher

Eastern Kentucky University

Year

2017

Author dc:creator

• Hodge, Lee Ann

• College students
• Occupational therapy
• Sexual assault
• Higher Education
• Mental Disorders

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 Lee Ann Hodge

Repository record dc:identifier

https://encompass.eku.edu/etd/453

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:encompass.eku.edu:etd-1451