Inconsistency is the Consistency: The Title IX Reporting Process for Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct Within Maryland Public Universities

Title IX is a primary federal legal approach to address campus sexual and gender-based misconduct, yet few students utilize Title IX reporting as a formal campus support, and those that do frequently report negative experiences. In this study, we interviewed 11 student survivors at four Maryland public universities who engaged with the Title IX reporting and response process. Our aims were to (a) examine how Title IX functions in a state public education system with a robust Title IX policy; (b) describe commonalities and differences in experiences; and (c) use theories of institutional betrayal and support to understand aspects of the process most helpful or harmful for survivors, especially minoritized survivors. Results reflected several common themes, but also an inconsistent Title IX process both within and across institutions beholden to the same Title IX policy, representing potential policy deviations. Further, institutional betrayal was reflected in the experiences of minoritized survivors who described Title IX staff microaggressions and invalidations and survivors who unknowingly disclosed to mandatory reporters. Overall, experiences contributed to a perception of the Title IX office and reporting process as unhelpful and untrustworthy. Results identify the need to reduce inconsistencies in Title IX reporting and response processes to ameliorate process harms

Student Experiences Reporting Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct to the Title IX Office at a Public State University

Twenty-five survivors completed anonymous surveys about reporting sexual and gender-based misconduct to their public university’s Title IX office, including case characteristics, perceptions of the reporting and response process (e.g., helpfulness, respect), and experiences of institutional betrayal and support. Measures and open-ended responses described varied misconduct incidents, reporting behaviors, case outcomes, process issues, and negative process consequences. Additionally, process perceptions correlated with institutional betrayal and support. Findings illuminate how survivors’ Title IX process perceptions relate to experiencing harm or support from larger institutions, and offer insights into developing a Title IX process which maintains student rights and dignity regardless of outcome

Six-year follow-up of the treatment of patients with dissociative disorders study*

Objective: Literature on the treatment of dissociative disorders (DDs) suggests that these individuals require long-term and specialized treatment to achieve stabilization and functionality. There is considerable empirical support for specialized phasic, dissociation-focused treatment in reducing a myriad of psychological symptoms and self-harm in this population. However, until recently, there has been a paucity of longitudinal treatment research on DD patients

The Selective Shield of Due Process: Analysis of the U.S. Department of Education’s 2020 Title IX Regulations on Live Cross‐Examination

The U.S. Department of Education (DoE) released new Title IX regulations in May 2020, including the requirement that postsecondary institutions conduct live hearings with direct cross‐examination for sexual misconduct reports. The 2,033‐page document included a summary of public comments and the DoE’s discussion of those comments. We analyzed this publicly available document to answer two questions. (1) What are the primary concerns of the cross‐examination requirement for victims within the Department’s summary of public comments? (2) How did the Department respond to these victim concerns? We conducted a content analysis, with a specific focus on the DoE’s summary of survivor‐focused comments regarding cross‐examination and the DoE’s discussion of and changes made in response to those comments. We identified four overarching survivor‐focused concerns and four categories of DoE responses. Our findings suggest that the DoE did not meaningfully address survivor‐focused concerns, but instead, selectively wielded “due process” as a shield to deflect critiques and legitimize the myth that sexual misconduct allegations inherently lack “credibility.” The lack of protections for victims is a significant departure from legal norms in other settings. Our findings identify the importance of legislators working with survivor‐activists, practitioners, and researchers to ensure complainants receive adequate procedural protections.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163921/1/asap12216_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163921/2/asap12216.pd

Differentiating Dissociative from Non-Dissociative Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D): Journal of Trauma and Dissociation

Inaccurate diagnosis of dissociative disorders (DDs) remains a frequent problem. Misdiagnoses may lead to delayed or ineffective treatment, and subsequently poorer quality of life for those struggling with DDs, who frequently utilize mental health treatment and evidence high rates of self-harm and suicidality. This study’s objective was to examine the magnitude of the effects with which the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D) and revised version (SCID-D-R)–henceforth referred to as the “SCID-D interviews”–provide diagnoses of DDs and differentiate them from nondissociative disorders as well as factitious and simulated dissociative presentations. For inclusion, studies had to be empirical investigations comparing SCID-D data of DD populations with other populations. Using combined methods of searching for “SCID-D” in electronic indexing databases, seeking recommendations from experts, and reviewing reference sections of identified studies, 15 studies were identified and subjected to meta-analytic review. Analyses showed that the overall SCID-D interview score (effect size 3.12) as well as each of the five subscales–particularly amnesia and identity alteration (effect sizes 2.16 and 2.87, respectively)–significantly differentiated DD from non-DD. Findings suggest that the SCID-D interviews show good validity identifying and differentiating those with DDs as compared to those without DDs. The SCID-D interviews are valid instruments for diagnosing and differentiating DD from other psychiatric disorders and feigned presentations of DD. Clinicians, researchers, and forensic experts can use the SCID-D interviews with confidence to make differential diagnoses of DDs. Future research using the SCID-D interviews is discussed

Treatment of dissociative disorders and reported changes in inpatient and outpatient cost estimates

Background: Interpersonal trauma and trauma-related disorders cost society billions of dollars each year. Because of chronic and severe trauma histories, dissociative disorder (DD) patients spend many years in the mental health system, yet there is limited knowledge about the economic burden associated with DDs. Objective: The current study sought to determine how receiving specialized treatment would relate to estimated costs of inpatient and outpatient mental health services. Method: Patients’ and individual therapists’ reports of inpatient hospitalization days and outpatient treatment sessions were converted into US dollars. DD patients and their clinicians reported on use of inpatient and outpatient services four times over 30 months as part of a larger, naturalistic, international DD treatment study. The baseline sample included 292 clinicians and 280 patients; at the 30-month follow-up, 135 clinicians and 111 patients. Missing data were replaced in analyses to maintain adequate statistical power. The substantial attrition rate (>50%) should be considered in interpreting findings. Results: Longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of cost estimates based on patient reported inpatient hospitalization significantly decreased over time. Longitudinal cost estimates based on clinician-reported outpatient services also significantly decreased over time. Cross-sectional cost estimates based on patient and clinician reported inpatient hospitalization were significantly lower for patients in later stages of treatment compared to those struggling with safety and stabilization. Cross-sectional cost estimates based on clinician-reported outpatient services were significantly lower for patients in later stages of treatment compared to those in early stages. Conclusions: This pattern of longitudinal and cross-sectional reductions in inpatient and outpatient costs, as reported by both patients and therapists, suggests that DD treatment may be associated with reduced inpatient and outpatient costs over time. Although these preliminary results show decreased mental health care utilization and associated estimated costs, it is not clear whether it was treatment that caused these important changes

Military sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma.

The current study characterizes a cohort of veteran claims filed with the Veterans Benefits Administration for posttraumatic stress disorder secondary to experiencing military sexual trauma, compares posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection award denial for military sexual trauma-related claims versus combat-related claims, and examines military sexual trauma -related award denial across gender and race. We conducted analyses on a retrospective national cohort of veteran claims submitted and rated between October 2017-May 2022, including 102,409 combat-related claims and 31,803 military sexual trauma-related claims. Descriptive statistics were calculated, logistic regressions assessed denial of service-connection across stressor type and demographics, and odds ratios were calculated as effect sizes. Military sexual trauma-related claims were submitted primarily by White women Army veterans, and had higher odds of being denied than combat claims (27.6% vs 18.2%). When controlling for age, race, and gender, men veterans had a 1.78 times higher odds of having military sexual trauma-related claims denied compared to women veterans (36.6% vs. 25.4%), and Black veterans had a 1.39 times higher odds of having military sexual trauma-related claims denied compared to White veterans (32.4% vs. 25.3%). Three-fourths of military sexual trauma-related claims were awarded in this cohort. However, there were disparities in awarding of claims for men and Black veterans, which suggest the possibility of systemic barriers for veterans from underserved backgrounds and/or veterans who may underreport military sexual trauma

Predictors of MST service-connection claim denial.

Predictors of MST service-connection claim denial.</p

Predictors of PTSD service-connection claim denial.

Predictors of PTSD service-connection claim denial.</p