Advisor(s)
Mary B. Ballou
Contributor(s)
William Sanchez, Michaela Mendelsohn
Date of Award
2011
Date Accepted
2-2011
Degree Grantor
Northeastern University
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department or Academic Unit
Bouve College of Health Sciences. Department of Counseling & Applied Educational Psychology
Keywords
counseling psychology, employment, recovery, trauma, vocational rehabilitation, women, work
Disciplines
Counseling Psychology
Abstract
This exploratory study examined the experiences of fifteen women trauma survivors who were returning to work. All participants had histories of interpersonal violence and were receiving mental health counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder and vocational services from a state vocational rehabilitation program. Using a feminist qualitative research method, the participants were interviewed and the data analyzed for common and emergent themes. The findings underscore significant factors that include health concerns, treatment, family and community support, and accessing resources such as affordable housing, health care, and disability benefits. Implications for mental health and vocational rehabilitation counselors include increased awareness of the challenges that influence career decision making, job readiness, and successful returning to work and a call to eliminate institutional barriers.
Document Type
Dissertation
Rights Information
copyright 2011
Rights Holder
Galina E. Gittens
Permanent URL
Recommended Citation
Gittens, Galina E., "Women trauma survivors' experiences of returning to work: an exploratory study" (2011). Counseling Psychology Dissertations. Paper 20. http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20000823
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