Institutional Betrayal in Military and Veteran Populations: A Systematic Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Military Medicine
• Sociology

Background:

• Institutional betrayal (IB) involves institutional misconduct affecting affiliated individuals.
• Military personnel face unique vulnerabilities to IB due to loyalty, hierarchy, and the nature of warfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on institutional betrayal in the military and Veteran population.
• To identify research gaps and inform future policy and clinical care strategies.

Main Methods:

• A systematic scoping literature review was conducted.
• Searched across seven databases, identifying 16 eligible publications from 44 initial findings.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of institutional betrayal experiences was found in military and Veteran populations.
• IB correlates with increased psychiatric symptoms and clinical issues.
• Current research predominantly covers military sexual trauma, neglecting other contexts like combat and moral injury.

Conclusions:

• Future research should broaden the scope of IB in military contexts beyond sexual trauma.
• There is a need to evaluate intervention effectiveness, policies, and develop standardized IB measures.
• Enhanced provider education, assessments, and interventions are crucial for addressing IB's impact on military and Veteran health.