College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Term of Award

Spring 2026

Degree Name

Doctor of Public Health in Community Health Behavior and Education (Dr.P.H.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Copyright Statement / License for Reuse

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Department

Department of Health Policy and Community Health

Committee Chair

Katie Mercer

Committee Member 1

Jacquelyn Mesenbrink-Sainz

Committee Member 2

James Thomas

Committee Member 3

Brandi Mallard

Abstract

Sexual violence against men in the United States remains understudied, particularly in relation to how self-determined identity shapes mental health outcomes, disclosure, and help-seeking experiences. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how male survivors’ self-determined identities influence post-sexual violence mental health and decisions about seeking support. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with male survivors of sexual violence and key informants. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis guided by a biopsychosocial framework. Findings indicate that identity functions as a foundation through which survivors interpret their experience and make decisions regarding disclosure and care. Gendered stigma, masculinity norms, and intersecting marginalized identities contributed to barriers to disclosure and access to formal mental health and support services, often reinforcing psychological distress and social isolation. System-level gaps further discouraged help-seeking and redirected survivors toward informal sources of support. These findings highlight the need for gender-inclusive, identity-aware public health approaches to sexual violence prevention. Addressing structural inequities in support systems is critical to improving mental health outcomes and ensuring that male survivors are recognized, supported, and meaningfully included in research, policy, and practice.

Research Data and Supplementary Material

No

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Available for download on Thursday, March 25, 2027

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