Date Approved

7-1-2024

Embargo Period

7-1-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Department

Clinical Psychology

College

College of Science & Mathematics

Advisor

Meredith Jones, Ph.D.

Committee Member 1

DJ Angelone, Ph.D.

Committee Member 2

Ane Turner Johnson, Ph.D.

Committee Member 3

Jonathan Lassiter, Ph.D.

Committee Member 4

Nicole Vaughn, Ph.D.

Keywords

black; campus climate; intersectional; nonbinary; sexual violence; transgender

Subject(s)

Transgender college students--Mental health; Sexual abuse victims--Mental health

Disciplines

Clinical Psychology | Higher Education | Psychology

Abstract

Sexual violence remains a public health concern in the United States. Much of the research has focused on gender-binary individuals, despite the heightened vulnerability of Black, transgender, and nonbinary (BTN) individuals due to societal stigma and discrimination. Campus climate surveys have been recommended by the Obama Administration to address sexual violence, though they often underrepresent BTN students, failing to capture their unique experiences. This study aims to bridge this gap by focusing on the intersection of gender and racial identities, using an intersectional stigma framework to explore the prevalence and impact of sexual violence on BTN students and advocate for more inclusive institutional responses. The present study sought to better understand the unique experiences of BTN students via a qualitative research design using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three participants participated in individual interviews. Eleven subordinate themes were identified, which reflected three superordinate themes identified from college students. Participants highlighted key themes on SV at college campuses, focusing on BTN students' experiences and systemic issues. They emphasized patriarchal norms perpetuating SV, inadequate institutional responses, and BTN students' challenges in reporting due to stigma and mistrust. Cultural factors like Greek life contribute to an unsafe environment. The findings underscore the need for proactive campus leadership and inclusive environments to address SV effectively.

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