Betrayal Trauma in the Military: A Phenomenological Study Exploring Betrayal with Veterans Returning from Iraq and Afghanistan

Trauma research has focused on the constructs of betrayal, betrayal blindness and Betrayal Trauma Theory with civilian populations. Research studies on betrayal in the military are sparse and have primarily explored accounts of military sexual traumas or Vietnam Veterans' war experiences.;The purpose of this study was to explore betrayal in the military through understanding what type of experiences constitute betrayal among veterans deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan, what dominant themes developed, how the results of this study compared with previous research findings, whether veterans believed the topic was important to understanding their experiences and whether betrayal experiences should be assessed for post-deployment.;Six military veterans from New England were recruited for participation. Participants were men and women, primarily well-educated, Caucasian, middle class and in their early 30's. All participants were in the Marines Corps or Army military branches and had been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan.;A qualitative phenomenological research design afforded the opportunity to extend the betrayal trauma construct to this population. The participants completed a demographic questionnaire and an in-person interview with open-ended questions geared toward answering the research objectives.;Thematic analysis of participants' responses provided four dominant themes: types of betrayal, betrayal blindness, effects of betrayal and assessment of betrayal. Over 40 accounts of betrayal were delineated among five categorical groups: interpersonal, institutional, cultural, intrapersonal and spiritual betrayals. All of the participants mentioned at least one example of feeling betrayed by their leadership. Surprisingly, self-betrayal and subordinate betrayal themes arose but none of the participants believed spiritual betrayal was important. The betrayal blindness construct was supported. Effects of betrayals were discussed in terms of specific symptoms and change in view of others, self and the world. Most participants responded that betrayal is discussed in the military in an informal peer-to-peer way. Participants believed assessing betrayal is important. However, there were variables to consider: timing, stigma, type of betrayal, person assessing and fear that responses may end up on their military record.;In conclusion, betrayal and betrayal blindness are important constructs in understanding veterans' experiences that warrant continued exploration in terms of assessment and treatment.