Health Sciences Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Science

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences – Health Science Department

First Advisor

Brianna Black Kent

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2022

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2022

Abstract

Human trafficking is a global health issue that negatively affects the lives of victims. Survivor advocates and survivor leaders are survivors who have successfully navigated the process of recovery and now engage in the anti-trafficking movement as lived experience experts. These experts are imperative to combatting exploitation and supporting survivors yet limited published research studies have explicitly focused on their lived experience in their advocacy and leadership roles. Research efforts to this point has focused on healthcare providers, service providers, and survivor experiences in the anti-trafficking movement. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of survivor experts to understand their roles and purpose in the anti-trafficking movement, as well as examine the assets and resources utilized to successfully fulfill these vital roles. Empowerment and resiliency theory was used as the guiding frameworks for the qualitative and descriptive inquiry. This investigator utilized a strengths-based, trauma-informed semi-structured interview guide to conduct in-depth interviews with 15 lived experience experts involved in the anti-trafficking movement to collect data on the phenomenon. Six themes emerged from the research study: 1) Dynamic Multi-faceted Advocates, Experts, and Leaders; 2) Driven to Make Meaningful Impact; 3) Scaling Mountains of Adversity, Barriers, and Challenges; 4) Harnessing One’s Expert “Superpowers” and “Superhero” Assets; 5) Skillful Utilization of Resources and Supports; and 6) Expansion of Thriverhood.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Keywords

Human trafficking; interpretative phenomenology analysis; Lived experience; Qualitative study; Resiliency; Survivor advocate and leader

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