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Exploring the Impact of Military Sexual Trauma on Occupational Participation in Canadian Women and Gender-Diverse Veterans Through Qualitative Interviews

Tam-Seto, Linna ; Williams, Ashley ; Ibbotson, Ashley ; Imre-Millei, Bibi LU orcid ; Orchard Young, Shannon and McKinnon, Margaret C. (2026) In Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
Abstract

Occupational participation refers to engaging in roles and activities that support self-care, societal engagement, and well-being in response to personal and environmental demands. Although research on military sexual trauma (MST) increasingly examines its effects on women’s occupations, its broader impact, particularly beyond gendered roles, remains underexplored. This study used a constructivist approach to explore how MST affects the occupational participation of women and gender-diverse veterans in the Canadian Armed Forces. Findings highlight the multifaceted challenges MST causes - including disruptions in identity, occupational choices, and relationships - while emphasizing participants’ resilience in redefining their roles,... (More)

Occupational participation refers to engaging in roles and activities that support self-care, societal engagement, and well-being in response to personal and environmental demands. Although research on military sexual trauma (MST) increasingly examines its effects on women’s occupations, its broader impact, particularly beyond gendered roles, remains underexplored. This study used a constructivist approach to explore how MST affects the occupational participation of women and gender-diverse veterans in the Canadian Armed Forces. Findings highlight the multifaceted challenges MST causes - including disruptions in identity, occupational choices, and relationships - while emphasizing participants’ resilience in redefining their roles, underscoring the need for trauma-informed, occupation-focused support systems.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
keywords
gender-diverse veterans, military sexual trauma, Occupational participation, occupational therapy practice, women veterans
in
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
publisher
Routledge
external identifiers
  • scopus:105039593396
ISSN
0164-212X
DOI
10.1080/0164212X.2026.2674193
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
fa737018-1a2c-4bbc-a2e7-93b5c8d24bb7
date added to LUP
2026-09-14 15:02:01
date last changed
2026-09-14 15:02:23
@article{fa737018-1a2c-4bbc-a2e7-93b5c8d24bb7,
  abstract     = {{<p>Occupational participation refers to engaging in roles and activities that support self-care, societal engagement, and well-being in response to personal and environmental demands. Although research on military sexual trauma (MST) increasingly examines its effects on women’s occupations, its broader impact, particularly beyond gendered roles, remains underexplored. This study used a constructivist approach to explore how MST affects the occupational participation of women and gender-diverse veterans in the Canadian Armed Forces. Findings highlight the multifaceted challenges MST causes - including disruptions in identity, occupational choices, and relationships - while emphasizing participants’ resilience in redefining their roles, underscoring the need for trauma-informed, occupation-focused support systems.</p>}},
  author       = {{Tam-Seto, Linna and Williams, Ashley and Ibbotson, Ashley and Imre-Millei, Bibi and Orchard Young, Shannon and McKinnon, Margaret C.}},
  issn         = {{0164-212X}},
  keywords     = {{gender-diverse veterans; military sexual trauma; Occupational participation; occupational therapy practice; women veterans}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  series       = {{Occupational Therapy in Mental Health}},
  title        = {{Exploring the Impact of Military Sexual Trauma on Occupational Participation in Canadian Women and Gender-Diverse Veterans Through Qualitative Interviews}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0164212X.2026.2674193}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/0164212X.2026.2674193}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}