Institutional Betrayal and Isolation of Attendees of Residential Boarding Schools

• In Event: Victimization and Vulnerable Populations

Abstract

Purpose: The terms residential schools, troubled teen, or behavioral modification therapy all refer to what is known as the “Troubled Teen Industry.” The residential care and education of teens within these programs remains a severely unstudied population that likely experiences institutional betrayal and/or betrayal trauma. This may also include experiences of coercive control given the power differential between authority figures and youth. It is unknown how these programs operate, including how they may benefit or harm those served by these programs
Design: Utilizing a phenomenological study design, we compiled open-source testimonials from former program attendees. Data were open coded for themes regarding the participants experiences during the programs, inclusive of potential harms or benefits.
Findings: Analysis of these testimonials revealed high rates of coercive control within residential programs, regardless of the program attended. Specifically, respondents experienced extreme isolation from support structures and frequent humiliation.
Summary: Results from this study provide critical information as to the functioning of these programs and will influence future survey development of this population. Findings also shed insight on the institutional betrayal and/or betrayal trauma experienced by students of these programs.

Author

• Rachel Corsello, University of Cincinnati