The integral role of relationships in experiences of complex trauma in sex trafficking survivors

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-123
Author(s):  
Heather Evans
Keyword(s):  
Sex Trafficking ◽  
Complex Trauma ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Female Survivors ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual

Purpose Human sex trafficking is a global rights violation prevalent nationally and globally. This study aims to contribute to the limited research conducted directly with survivors with the goal of building sustainable aftercare from their feedback. Design/methodology/approach For this qualitative, retrospective study, 15 adult female survivors completed open-ended interviews, took photos and participated in online focus groups to explore identity, sexuality, relationships and factors of community reintegration. Data analysis included multi-level conceptual and thematic coding. Findings Participants identified with all aspects of complex trauma and domains of post-traumatic growth. Participants highlighted relationship development as the primary source of healing and growth, emphasizing the value of peer-based support and survivor leadership. Research limitations/implications The findings affirm the need for ecological and relational perspectives in care of survivors and approaches using a trauma-informed, victim-centered lens. Findings affirm the value of understanding the nuances of complex trauma as well as celebrating the capacity for post-traumatic growth. Furthermore, while relationships are most significantly impacted from the trafficking experience, they are also considered the greatest instrument of healing, offering long-term commitment and belief in the individual. This research excluded males and international trafficking survivors. Participants were recruited through service organizations, and many participants are active in advocacy work, which may hinder generalizable data for all trafficking survivors. Finally, this study did not distinguish data between geographic location or range or length of time since exiting trafficking. Originality/value This study highlights the voices of survivors throughout research design and data findings. Their lived experiences provide key recommendations for interaction and intervention. Data include rich expression through photography.

Growth and the Multiple Dimensions of Well-Being

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Valerie Tiberius
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Philosophical Literature ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Cultural Narrative ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual

What is the possible role of adversity in promoting the development of wisdom and well-being? This chapter focuses on examining psychological discussions of post-traumatic growth and discusses whether and how we would expect suffering, adversity, or trauma to push an individual in positive and negative ways, with an emphasis on multiple dimensions of psychological well-being. The chapter interweaves insights from the philosophical literature to arrive at a better understanding of whether and to what degree post-traumatic growth is likely to occur or if growth following adversity is part of the cultural narrative that does not effectively translate to the individual.

“More Than Peer Support: Organizational and Relational Intervention Model”

2020 ◽  
pp. 273-290
Author(s):  
Mario Jose Gonzalez ◽  
Marie Guma ◽  
Bernardo Jose Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
First Responder ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Organizational Wellness

The chapter describes a replicable and innovative approach designed to assist first responder communities through the mental health challenges they face in their personal and professional lives. The First Responder Assistance Program (FRAP) strives to create a healthy environment, through a unified structure, three tiered organizational and relational intervention approach, inclusive of peer support, peer chaplaincy support, and clinician involvement. The FRAP Model establishes a direct correlation between organizational wellness, and the individual health of its members. It emphasizes a “top to bottom” organizational intervention, with the understanding that no matter how much help is provided to the individual, the environment must be addressed in order to obtain sustainable results. It stresses a “holistic” approach to healing with a focus on post traumatic growth and the systematic building of individual and organizational resilience.

“More Than Peer Support: Organizational and Relational Intervention Model”

2021 ◽  
pp. 269-286
Author(s):  
Mario Jose Gonzalez ◽  
Marie Guma ◽  
Bernardo Jose Gonzalez
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Professional Lives ◽  
First Responder ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Healthy Environment ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Organizational Wellness

The chapter describes a replicable and innovative approach designed to assist first responder communities through the mental health challenges they face in their personal and professional lives. The First Responder Assistance Program (FRAP) strives to create a healthy environment, through a unified structure, three tiered organizational and relational intervention approach, inclusive of peer support, peer chaplaincy support, and clinician involvement. The FRAP Model establishes a direct correlation between organizational wellness, and the individual health of its members. It emphasizes a “top to bottom” organizational intervention, with the understanding that no matter how much help is provided to the individual, the environment must be addressed in order to obtain sustainable results. It stresses a “holistic” approach to healing with a focus on post traumatic growth and the systematic building of individual and organizational resilience.

Perceived post-traumatic growth may not reflect actual positive change: A short-term prospective study of relationship dissolution

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 3098-3116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan Owenz ◽  
Blaine J. Fowers
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Relationship Dissolution ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Primary Sample ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual

Romantic relationship breakups induce significant distress, which has prompted interest in the possibility of post-traumatic growth (PTG) following relationship dissolution. However, most studies have relied on retrospective self-reports of growth, raising questions about the actuality of growth following breakup. This prospective study assessed relationship quality prior to breakup, measured growth over time, included a comparison group that did not experience breakup, and tested rival hypotheses to assess PTG in comparison with positive reappraisal (PR). College students ( N = 599) in romantic relationships were recruited as participants and assessed at two time points approximately 10 weeks apart. The primary sample includes participants who experienced a relationship breakup ( N = 100). Results indicated that, following a breakup, participants reported a high degree of breakup distress and perceived growth. The pattern of results suggests that reports of perceived PTG may reflect PR processes, as evidenced by the correlation between optimism at Time 1 and perceived, but not actual, PTG at Time 2. Consistent with previous prospective research, but differing from much of the retrospective research, a measure of “actual growth” was unrelated to distress, perceived growth, or whether the individual experienced a breakup. The results corroborate research suggesting that retrospective reports of PTG may not reflect actual personal growth measured before and after a traumatic event. Results are discussed in terms of the circumstances in which PR or growth in relationship choices and behaviors may be most appropriate.

scholarly journals Preprint Perceived Characteristics of Life Events - Short-Term Changes in Prosociality and Empathy?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ina Fassbender ◽  
Peter Haehner ◽  
Susanne Buecker ◽  
Maike Luhmann
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Personality Change ◽  
External Control ◽  
Status Change ◽  
Growth Curve Models ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual

Post-traumatic growth can be understood as positive change in desirable personality traits after adverse life events. However, recent research questioned whether adversity is a relevant, necessary, and sufficient condition for change in desirable personality traits. Using five-wave longitudinal data, this study explored changes in the desirable personality traits prosociality and empathy before and after life events. We included all life events participants had experienced between the second and third assessment, that is, adverse, ambiguous, and positive events. Participants rated their life events on the Event Characteristics Questionnaire which assesses the individual perception of life events on nine continuous dimensions: challenge, emotional significance, extraordinariness, external control, impact, valence, social status change, predictability and change in world views. We used multilevel growth curve models to explore changes in prosociality and empathy as a function of these event characteristics. Prosociality and empathy remained stable in the assessment period of six to nine months after the reported life event, independently of whether the event had been perceived as adverse or not. We discuss our findings with respect to the inclusion of positive and ambiguous events as predictors of personality change and with respect to its theoretical implications for post-traumatic growth and personality development more broadly.

Post-Traumatic Growth in Later Adulthood

2021 ◽  
pp. 105-122
Author(s):  
Gloria Luong ◽  
J. Doug Coatsworth ◽  
Sy-Miin Chow
Keyword(s):  
Assisted Living ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Daily Stressors ◽  
Longitudinal Measurement ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Prospective Longitudinal ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Different Time Scales

This chapter focuses on conceptual notions and methodological approaches for examining whether post-traumatic growth is possible in older adults, with an emphasis on individual and dyadic approaches. A majority of the literature to this point has focused on examining changes in the individual who experienced the traumatic event, but much less is known regarding how a partner or spouse responds to the traumatic event. This chapter discusses how the use of multimethod prospective longitudinal measurement burst designs can provide insights into this growth following a traumatic event. The authors discuss as an example the case when at least one partner is planning to transition into assisted living. An increasing number of individuals reaching old age must make the decision to transition into an assisted living or similar type of home. The use of multimethod prospective longitudinal designs enables the researcher to delineate the extent to which character virtues may change on different time scales in terms of state character virtues assessed in daily life (e.g., how altruistic a person is in a given moment or day) versus trait characteristics (e.g., how altruistic a person is, on average) and elucidate hypothesized transactional mechanisms (e.g., individual differences, dyadic, and contextual factors, such as experiences of daily stressors) that may promote or inhibit changes in character virtues.

scholarly journals In flight again with wings that were once broken; effects of post-traumatic growth and personal resources on burnout recovery

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 387-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Semeijn ◽  
Joris Van Ruysseveldt ◽  
Greet Vonk ◽  
Tinka van Vuuren
Keyword(s):  
Personal Resources ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Norm Group ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Group Workers ◽  
The Impact

Purpose Adequate recovery from burnout is important to understand. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether post-traumatic growth (PTG) contributes to higher engagement and reduced symptoms of burnout and whether this process is mediated by personal resources. Design/methodology/approach In a cross-sectional survey, 166 Dutch workers who had fully recovered from burnout were questioned on their level of PTG, their personal resources (optimism, resilience and self-efficacy), and their levels of engagement and burnout. Findings Fully recovered workers scored somewhat higher on current burnout level, but did not differ from norm group workers in their engagement level. Moreover, PTG appeared to positively affect both higher engagement and lower burnout levels, which is fully mediated by personal resources. Research limitations/implications Post-traumatic growth (PTG) impacts on engagement and burnout levels amongst workers who have recovered from burnout by enhancing personal resources. The role of personal resources and the impact of PTG on engagement and burnout complaints following (recovery from) burnout deserve further investigation. Practical implications Management can support workers who have (recovered from a) burnout, by being aware of their (higher) engagement, and facilitate the enhancement of PTG and personal resources. Originality/value This study is one of the first to study the role of PTG after (recovery from) burnout and reveals valuable findings for both research and practice.

Perceived Characteristics of Life Events—Short-Term Changes in Prosociality and Empathy?

2021 ◽  
pp. 089020702110317
Author(s):  
Ina Fassbender ◽  
Peter Haehner ◽  
Susanne Buecker ◽  
Maike Luhmann
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Life Events ◽  
Personality Development ◽  
Personality Change ◽  
External Control ◽  
Status Change ◽  
Growth Curve Models ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual

Post-traumatic growth can be understood as positive change in desirable personality traits after adverse life events. However, recent research questioned whether adversity is a relevant, necessary, and sufficient condition for change in desirable personality traits. Using five-wave longitudinal data, this study explored changes in the desirable personality traits prosociality and empathy before and after life events. We included all life events participants had experienced between the second and third assessment, that is, adverse, ambiguous, and positive events. Participants rated their life events on the Event Characteristics Questionnaire which assesses the individual perception of life events on nine continuous dimensions: challenge, emotional significance, extraordinariness, external control, impact, valence, social status change, predictability, and change in world views. We used multilevel growth curve models to explore changes in prosociality and empathy as a function of these event characteristics. Prosociality and empathy remained stable in the assessment period of 6 to 9 months after the reported life event, independently of whether the event had been perceived as adverse or not. We discuss our findings with respect to the inclusion of positive and ambiguous events as predictors of personality change and with respect to its theoretical implications for post-traumatic growth and personality development more broadly.

scholarly journals Spirituality as a source of the individual resilience: results of the psychological study

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-666 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H. Ganieva
Keyword(s):  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Psychological Study ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
High Level ◽  
Depth Interviews

The article offers an analysis of the consequences of the 1992 Ossetian-Ingush conflict conducted by a professional psychologist. The study involved 32 people, the relatives of those who became lost during this conflict. The object of analysis is the post traumatic growth, which was quantified on the basis of the questionnaire designed by R. G. Tеdeschi and L. G. Calhoun and adapted to the local circumstances by M. Sh. Magomed-Eminova. For in-depth interviews was used the questionnaire designed by the present author (R. Ganieva). It comprises 50 closed and open questions that imply two types of information: objective (e.g. date of birth, health, education, profession, etc.) and subjective (e.g. the level of satisfaction with life, self-identification as an individual who lives in this world, identifying what actually does mean a human life, the value of one’s life, perception of religion and self-identification within its framework, learning from positive experience, participation level in the work of the Committee, which helps to search after missing people, etc.). The in-depth interviews with relatives of those who has gone missing during the events of autumn1992 inthe Prigorodny district and the city ofVladikavkazdeal with the spiritual changes of an individual. These changes are considered to be an important component of post-traumatic growth as found among the relatives of the missing people. Analysis of the results gained has revealed that the majority of respondents (59 %) showed a high level of post-traumatic growth and demonstrated a high level of post-traumatic wisdom. Simultaneously, it was found that the acquisition and realization of the meaning of life is always associated with the outer world, as well as with the creative activity of a person, his/her subject parameters and achievements. An evaluation of the interview showed that the categories of faith and spirituality were crucial for the person’s post-traumatic growth, These categories were instrumental in maintaining psychological stability in a difficult life situation. 

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