An Occupational Perspective on the Lives of Women Who Experienced Sexual Assault While at University
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Life, Irrupted: An Occupational Perspective on the Lives of Women Who Experienced Sexual Assault While at University by Katherine Ellen Stewart A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Rehabilitation Sciences Institute University of Toronto © Copyright by Katherine Ellen Stewart 2019 Life, Irrupted: An Occupational Perspective on the Lives of Women Who Experienced Sexual Assault While at University Katherine Ellen Stewart Doctor of Philosophy Rehabilitation Sciences Institute University of Toronto 2019 Abstract Although sexual assault that occurs during university is known to have numerous significant consequences, many are believed to remain “hidden.” This dissertation research employed an occupational perspective to provide a more fulsome examination of the aftermath of sexual assault that occurs during university. Three distinct studies, yielding four manuscripts, were conducted. First, a review of the sexual assault literature was carried out. Findings suggested a clear but narrowly examined occupational aftermath of sexual assault. Next, women’s experiences of everyday living in the aftermath of sexual assault were explored through different forms of narrative: (a) memoirs written by women who had experienced sexual assault during university, and (b) interviews with women who had experienced sexual assault during university. These studies suggested an extensive occupational aftermath of sexual assault. Together, the findings of this dissertation research make five unique contributions to the sexual assault and occupational science literature. First, the findings suggest that an occupational perspective may be used to uncover some of the hidden consequences of sexual assault, specifically those related to human occupation. Second, the findings suggest that sexual assault that occurs during university is occupational life-altering. Sexual assault was ii found to have significant, widespread, and lasting consequences for women’s daily occupations, as well as for their occupational trajectories. Third, the findings suggest that sexual assault alters women’s occupational lives in ways that at once follow a pattern and are particular to the individual. Although broad patterns in changes to women’s occupations were identified, occupational choice and engagement were found to be idiosyncratic in the aftermath of sexual assault during university. Fourth, the findings suggest that the alterations produced by sexual assault necessitate the (re)building of one’s occupational life and self through conscious engagement in occupation. Last, the findings are suggestive of a model of occupational response following major life disruption. Further research is warranted to continue to develop an expanded understanding of what everyday living looks like after life disruption beyond sexual assault that occurs during university. iii Acknowledgments Engaging in this doctoral work has been a true privilege that has been made possible, and all the more enjoyable, by many; namely, my supervisory committee, the women who participated in this research, my colleagues and friends, my family, and the donors who funded this research. I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the support and guidance shown to me by my supervisory committee. To my co-supervisors, Dr. Helene Polatajko and Dr. Janice Du Mont, thank you for your willingness to take on a student interested in studying the intersection of human occupation and sexual assault, a topic at the edge of all of our comfort zones. Dr. Polatajko, thank you for your never-ending sense of curiosity, for your steadfast commitment to excellence, and for your profound understanding of what this work has meant to me. Dr. Du Mont, thank you for your flexibility, for your much- appreciated sense of practicality, and for your patience in teaching me how to conduct research in the area of sexual assault. Thank you both for your deep kindness. For these things, and for everything else that you have given to me, I am forever grateful. To my committee members, Dr. Andrea Charise and Dr. Patricia O’Campo, thank you for your sustained engagement in and thoughtful critique of my work. Your supervision advanced not only the quality of this work but my development as a researcher. To the 13 women who so generously gave their time and expertise to this research, thank you for your participation. I am indebted to you for sharing your life stories with me. Thank you for contributing to our understanding of what everyday living looks like after experiencing sexual assault while at university, both in the short- and long-term. It is my hope that this dissertation does justice to your experiences. Without you, this work would not have been possible. To my fellow HOEP Lab members, Adina Houldin, Christie Welch, Janine Farragher, Samantha Seaton, and Tammy Craig, among many others, thank you for your compassion, for your friendship, and for being a constant source of inspiration. iv To Jane Davis, thank you for always challenging my thinking and for being incredibly generous with your time. Most importantly, thank you for sparking my interest in examining human occupation. For the countless ways in which you have contributed to my learning, I am sincerely thankful. To my sister, Andrea Stewart, the other half of my heart, thank you for always believing in me and for reminding me to have fun. To my parents, Cindi and David Stewart, thank you for your unwavering love and support. Words cannot express how grateful I am for all of the ways that you encouraged, nurtured, and protected my love of learning over the years. Thank you for allowing me the space to take the road less travelled. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the generous financial support that I have received from Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, the Carol Mitchell and Richard Venn Estate, the Government of Ontario, the Estate of Hazel Jeanne Watson, the Rosenstadt Family in memory of Bertha Rosenstadt, the Canadian Occupational Therapy Foundation, the Canadian Society of Occupational Scientists, and the University of Toronto. v Table of Contents List of Tables .................................................................................................................... xii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. xiii List of Appendices ........................................................................................................... xiv Chapter 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Examining the Aftermath of Sexual Assault That Occurs During University from an Occupational Perspective ................................................................................... 2 1.1.1 Background ................................................................................................. 3 1.1.2 Research Problem ....................................................................................... 5 1.1.3 Research Aim and Objectives ..................................................................... 8 1.2 Key Concepts and Terms ...................................................................................... 10 1.2.1 Occupation ................................................................................................ 10 1.2.2 Doing ......................................................................................................... 10 1.2.3 Everyday Life/Everyday Living ............................................................... 11 1.2.4 Occupational Life ...................................................................................... 11 1.2.5 Occupational Aftermath ............................................................................ 11 1.2.6 Lived Aftermath ........................................................................................ 11 1.2.7 Occupational Science ................................................................................ 12 1.2.8 Sexual Assault ........................................................................................... 12 1.3 Conceptual, Philosophical, and Methodological Underpinnings .......................... 12 1.3.1 Conceptual Lens ........................................................................................ 12 1.3.2 Epistemology ............................................................................................ 13 1.3.3 Methodology ............................................................................................. 14 1.3.4 Methods ..................................................................................................... 15 1.3.4.1 Data Generation .......................................................................... 15 vi 1.3.4.2 Data Analysis .............................................................................. 18 1.3.4.3 Research Setting ......................................................................... 21 1.4 Methodological Considerations ............................................................................ 21 1.4.1 Reflexivity and Positionality ..................................................................... 21 1.4.2 Rigour ....................................................................................................... 23 1.5 Ethical Considerations .........................................................................................