271 This study explored the effects of the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice program on relationship satisfaction, mindfulness traits, and overall well-being in female survivors of military sexual trauma. Conducted via Zoom with 24 participants organized into three groups, the quasi-experimental design included pre- and post-intervention assessments. Although no statistically significant differences were found in relationship satisfaction, dispositional mindfulness, or overall well-being, a notable positive correlation emerged between gains in relationship satisfaction and mindfulness, as well as between wellbeing and relationship satisfaction during the intervention. The study suggests practical insights for trauma treatment using a non-pathological counseling approach, emphasizing the need for further research and offering implications for clinical application, group practice, counselor education, and future studies in the field. Keywords: mindfulness, military sexual trauma, Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice, relationship satisfaction, well-being The global spotlight on violence against women, particularly sexual assault and harassment, has garnered substantial attention in recent years. The World Health Organization found sexual violence to be a major public health problem and a violation of women’s human rights (WHO; 2021). WHO estimated that 27% of women aged 15–49 years worldwide have reported being subjected to some form of sexual violence. When trauma is prevalent among women such as female service members, particularly in the context of military sexual trauma (MST), it can often hinder the development of meaningful relationships (Department of Veterans Affairs, 2021; Wilson, 2018). The #IamVanessaGuillen movement, which gained traction in 2020, further underscored the problem. Guillen’s death was connected to sexual harassment and assault while she served in the military, sparking numerous accounts from veterans and active-duty service members who faced similar experiences (Meinert & Wentz, 2024). Despite the Department of Veterans Affairs mandating MST screening, 67% of female survivors do not report their traumatic experiences (Wilson, 2018). Military culture, marked by language, norms, and beliefs, presents challenges in seeking mental health treatment despite the recognition of heightened risks for MST survivors (Burek, 2018; Litz, 2014). Understanding the interplay between military culture and mental health treatment is crucial, The Professional Counselor™ Volume 14, Issue 3, Pages 271–287 http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org © 2024 NBCC, Inc. and Affiliates doi: 10.15241/cmm.14.3.271 Crystal M. Morris, Priscilla Rose Prasath Silent No More: Exploring the Effects of Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice on Relationship Satisfaction, Mindfulness, and Well-Being in Female Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma Crystal M. Morris, PhD, NCC, CSC, LPC-S, is an assistant professor at St. Mary’s University. Priscilla Rose Prasath, PhD, MBA, LPC, GCSC, is an associate professor at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Correspondence may be addressed to Crystal M. Morris, St. Mary’s University, One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228, cmorris4@stmarytx.edu.
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