Factors impacting military sexual trauma survivors’ journey to recovery: Mental health specialists’ perspectives.

Military sexual trauma (MST) has been a long-standing concern within the U.S. military. Although research has examined risk factors and long-term impacts of MST, there is a gap in research about how the military impacts MST survivors’ recovery and understanding mental health specialists’ perspectives of MST recovery. This study aimed to identify military factors impacting an MST survivor's recovery journey from mental health specialists’ perspectives. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews with civilian and uniformed mental health specialists who have worked with MST survivors. Interviews followed a five-phase MST survivor's recovery model developed for this study (Phase 1: reporting the assault, Phase 2: obtaining medical care, Phase 3: accessing effective mental health care, Phase 4: institutional reintegration, and Phase 5: recovery). Responses were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Seven mental health specialists (85% female and 72% active duty) participated, averaging 11.3 (6.4) years of experience and working with an average of 115.4 (172.04) MST survivors. Findings revealed that each phase of a survivor's recovery journey encounters institutional and treatment-level barriers. Reflexive thematic analysis identified 41 themes, with 19 relevant to the current aims and eight identified as facilitators or barriers to recovery within the survivor's journey to recovery model. Results suggest that military personnel's use of supportive language when an assault is disclosed—shortening wait times between appointments when completing trauma-informed protocols, providing psychoeducation on trauma, defining MST recovery outcomes, and allowing time for recovery in garrison environments—may reduce barriers to recovery. Clinical recommendations are offered to help providers reduce possible MST recovery barriers.