The relationship between institutional identification, institutional betrayal, and trauma symptom severity in survivors of military sexual trauma

Abstract: Military sexual trauma (MST) is increasingly prevalent, with 8,866 reported cases in 2021, though actual numbers are likely higher. Despite prevention efforts by the Department of Defense, barriers to reporting, such as fear of retaliation and career impact, persist. MST negatively affects physical and psychological health, well-being, and career aspirations. Institutional Betrayal (IB), where survivors feel betrayed by their institution's response to MST, worsens these impacts. While studied in civilian contexts, IB's effect on U.S. military members remains underexplored, particularly regarding institutional identification. In this study, I seek to contribute to the literature about IB by clarifying the relationship between the variables of IB, institutional identification, and trauma symptom severity and through examining the impact of gender and positional power imbalances as covariates. Previous research has established the existence of a significant relationship between IB and trauma symptom severity, but has largely left out the potential impact of institutional identification with the military. Previous studies have suggested that higher levels of IB predict more severe trauma symptoms in several populations including the military. Utilizing a mediated regression model, I hypothesize that higher levels of institutional identification will result in IB, which will mediate the relationship between institutional identity and trauma symptom severity. Additionally, gender and power imbalance will be controlled for as covariates. The purpose of including IB in discussions and future research about MST is not only to provide more in-depth explanation of the culpability of the system, but also to direct the responsibility of making lasting change. This study sampled 95 student veterans who endorsed experiencing at least once instance of MST. Participants completed an online survey distributed through Qualtrics. A mediation model was used to investigate the relationship between levels of institutional identification and trauma symptom severity in this sample as mediated by reported institutional betrayal while controlling for the covariates of gender and power imbalance. Results from the mediation model indicated that institutional betrayal significantly mediated the relationship between institutional identification and trauma symptom severity ( F (3, 91) = 8.699, p <.001, R2 = .049). However, neither covariate was significant in the model despite differences within power imbalance.