Experience of a Lifetime: Study Abroad, Trauma, And Institutional Betrayal
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Date
2015-06
Authors
Wright, Naomi M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Although the number of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad during college continues to increase, emerging research suggests these students are at risk for experiencing trauma (Kimble, Flack, & Burbridge, 2013; Flack et. al., 2014). The current study is the first to expand the investigation of study abroad risks to include a range of possible traumas and to examine the unique effects of institutional betrayal (i.e., an institution’s failure to adequately prevent trauma or support victims) in the study-abroad setting. In a sample of university students who had studied abroad, many respondents (45.44%, n = 79) reported personally experiencing or witnessing at least one traumatic experience while abroad. Of these students, more than a third (35.44%, n = 28) also reported experiencing at least one form of related institutional betrayal. When controlling for trauma history, the experience of institutional betrayal uniquely predicted posttraumatic outcomes for witnessing and experiencing several types of study abroad trauma. This study revealed that students experience a broader range of traumatic events during study abroad than previous research has documented. Additionally, this study extends prior research by underscoring the importance of understanding institutional impact before, during, and after a student studies abroad.
Description
62 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Psychology and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2015.
Keywords
Psychology, Trauma, Study Abroad, Institution, Travel, International, Violence, Safety, Students, Betrayal