Interpersonal Safety of Active Duty Women in the Deployed Environment of Bagram Afghanistan

502 Pages·2015·5.45 MB·English

Walden University
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Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies
Collection
2015
Interpersonal Safety of Active Duty Women in the
Deployed Environment of Bagram Afghanistan
Cynthia Tara Ferguson
Walden University
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Walden University

College of Health Sciences

This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by

Cynthia Ferguson

has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects,
and that any and all revisions required by
the review committee have been made.

Review Committee
Dr. Peter Anderson, Committee Chairperson, Public Health Faculty
Dr. Paige Wermuth, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty
Dr. Debra Wilson, Committee Member, Public Health Faculty
Dr. Jacqueline Fraser, University Reviewer, Public Health Faculty

Chief Academic Officer
Eric Riedel, Ph.D.

Walden University
2015
Abstract
Interpersonal Safety of U.S. Military Women in the
Deployed Environment of Bagram, Afghanistan
by
Cynthia Tara Ferguson

MFA, Seton Hill University, 2014
MPH, The George Washington University, 2009
MSN, Case Western University, 1998
BSN, Old Dominion University, 1992

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Public Health

Walden University
February 2015
Abstract
In the United States Armed Forces, 30% of women in the military suffer physical assault
each year; in 2009, there were 22 reported cases of sexual assault in the U.S. Central
Command. Aggravated assault, gang violence, sexual assault, homicide, and suicide can
damage the morale of military personnel at a deployed site and collectively cost millions
of dollars over time. Interpersonal violence in the United States military is destructive to
the military system and directly diminishes mission readiness. This study was designed to
illuminate the environmental, cultural, and political influences that affect interpersonal
safety among military women in the deployed environment of Afghanistan with the goal
of discovering mechanisms to improve interpersonal safety for that population. Grounded
theory was used to analyze data obtained from U.S. military women in Bagram,
Afghanistan and their environment concerning interpersonal safety. This information was
used to generate a relational social theory based on themes, patterns, and relationships;
the theory of US Military Interpersonal Safety, Violence Prevention, and Response. This
theory is intended to improve interpersonal safety as well as prevent and counter violence
in the deployed setting. Applying this theory is expected to promote better assessment,
development, implementation, and evaluation of violence prevention and response
healthcare programs meant to mitigate violence and assist military members who have
been victims of violence. This study promotes positive social change by identifying
precursors of interpersonal violence in a deployed environment and creating a strong
foundation for understanding how to prevent interpersonal violence and create response
programs to address this issue.
Interpersonal Safety of U.S. Military Women in the
Deployed Environment of Bagram, Afghanistan
by
Cynthia Tara Ferguson

MFA, Seton Hill University, 2014
MPH, The George Washington University, 2009
MSN, Case Western University, 1998
BSN, Old Dominion University, 1992

Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Public Health

Walden University
February 2015
Dedication
To my husband Jim, for his patience, love, and unprecedented understanding
while I worked to complete this dissertation. To Kira and Sean, my dearest children, who
have been and always will be my greatest inspiration to make the world a better place.
Acknowledgments
My sincere thanks go out to my dissertation chair, Dr. Peter Anderson, and my
committee members and qualitative methods experts, Drs. Deborah Wilson and Paige
Wermuth. Without their guidance, patience and encouragement, I would not have gained
the depth of understanding necessary to complete my research. My entire dissertation
committee was responsive to what I needed to complete this work, and they will ever
have my sincere gratitude.
My former professors from George Washington University, Drs. Sarah Orndorff
and Steven Lubkemann, helped me uncover my love for qualitative research and instilled
in me a respect for the stories of people everywhere. Because of their influence, I will
always work hard to understand the power of thoughts, words, diasporas, and culture, and
to think first before doing.
Many people in the military helped me through this work. I salute and thank the
Navy and Army qualitative researchers who shared their knowledge with me, and the
brave participants and key informants who granted me interviews. That they took some of
their precious time to share their stories with me, sometimes at great personal risk, is
extremely courageous; they have my ultimate respect.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t include my battle-buddy love and appreciation to the
Kentucky ADT, Bagram 2010, who, when I wasn’t sleeping, eating, or working, provided
my deployed life with many nights of guitar music, country song and camaraderie in
between the blasts and shakes of mortars and rockets. Hooah and Semper Fortis!
Table of Contents
List of Tables.....................................................................................................................vi

Table 1. Schedule of Participant Interviews
  ..................................................................vi

Table 2. Schedule of Key Informant Interviews
  ............................................................vi

List of Figures...................................................................................................................vii

Figure 1. A diagram showing the theory development process for this study.
  .............vii

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study....................................................................................1

Introduction....................................................................................................................1

Problem Statement.........................................................................................................5

Nature of the Study........................................................................................................6

Research Questions........................................................................................................7

Purpose...........................................................................................................................8

Conceptual Framework..................................................................................................9

Operational Definitions................................................................................................13

Assumptions.................................................................................................................15

Limitations...................................................................................................................15

Delimitations................................................................................................................16

Significance of the Study.............................................................................................16

Summary and Transition..............................................................................................19

Chapter 2: Literature Review.............................................................................................21

Introduction..................................................................................................................21

Literature Search Strategy.....................................................................................21

i
Violence as a Public Health Problem...........................................................................22

Violence as a Military Public Health Problem............................................................23

Violence and Women in the Military...........................................................................28

Violence, Sexual Assault, and Resulting Stress...........................................................30

The Cost of Violence...................................................................................................33

Interviewing Research Participants in their Environment...........................................34

Literature Related to Chosen Methodology.................................................................35

Chapter 3: Research Method..............................................................................................38

Introduction..................................................................................................................38

Research Design...........................................................................................................39

The Role of the Researcher..........................................................................................43

Interview Questions..............................................................................................45

Procedures for Gaining Access to Participants............................................................46

Ethical Protection of Participants.................................................................................47

Ethical Concerns of Observation..........................................................................48

Consent Process....................................................................................................50

Compensation for Participation............................................................................50

Risks and Safeguards............................................................................................50

Withdrawal From Study Participation..................................................................52

Participant Selection, Observation and Field Notes....................................................53

Study Participants.................................................................................................53

Key Informants.....................................................................................................56

ii
Location of Observations......................................................................................57

Field Notes............................................................................................................58

Data Collection and Analysis.......................................................................................59

Data Collection.....................................................................................................60

Instrumentation and Materials..............................................................................61

Data Analysis of Interviews..................................................................................61

Analysis of Field Notes.........................................................................................65

Qualitative Software Programs.............................................................................66

Chapter 4: Results..............................................................................................................69

Introduction..................................................................................................................69

Setting ..........................................................................................................................70

Recruitments and Demographics.................................................................................70

Researcher Field Notes................................................................................................72

Data Collection and Storage........................................................................................73

Data Analysis...............................................................................................................73

Evidence of Trustworthiness........................................................................................76

Transferability.......................................................................................................76

Dependability........................................................................................................77

Limitations............................................................................................................77

Confirmability.......................................................................................................78

Results ..........................................................................................................................79

Research Themes..................................................................................................79

iii