Cultural perspectives on positive responses to extreme adversity: A playing field for metaphors

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 1056-1075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iara Meili ◽  
Andreas Maercker
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Cultural Perspectives ◽  
Shared Beliefs ◽  
Ethnographic Studies ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Post Traumatic

In Euro-American societies, “resilience” and “post-traumatic growth” are commonly used metaphorical terms for positive responses to extreme adversity. However, research on illness narratives has demonstrated that other cultures may have different metaphorical concepts that act as vehicles for shared beliefs about how to overcome extreme adversity or traumatic experiences. The purpose of this article is to identify metaphors used in various cultures to describe positive responses to extreme adversity and to discuss the cultural ontologies and other socio-cultural factors that shape them. Metaphors of this nature were extracted from psychological, anthropological and ethnographic studies and were organized into categories: battle, path, container, balance, weight, object and network metaphors. Findings support the notion that metaphorical expressions related to positive responses to extreme adversity vary widely across cultures. We argue that an understanding of cultural differences in metaphors for mental health-related concepts is crucial to assisting trauma survivors from different cultural backgrounds.

Post-traumatic Growth: Longitudinal Study on Battered Women in Close Relationships after Both They and Their Partners Undergo Therapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052199793
Author(s):  
Dorota Dyjakon ◽  
Beata Rajba
Keyword(s):  
Battered Women ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Important Indicator ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Polish Version ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact

Violence in intimate relationships is a major problem worldwide. Many women, despite having experienced violence from a partner, decide to remain in a relationship with the perpetrator. A special premise for such a decision is that the abusive partner undertakes therapy that serves to build security in the family. An important indicator of dealing with violence is post-traumatic growth (PTG), a concept introduced by Calhoun and Tedeschi (1998) to describe positive changes as a result of traumatic experiences. The purpose of the research was to assess PTG changes in the course of relationships in which the woman had experienced violence from her partner, but both her partner and she had undertaken therapy and changed their behavior ( N = 48). The conducted research used a demographic survey and two questionnaires: The Polish version of the Impact Event Scale-Revised (IES-R, Weiss, Marmara prepared by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik [2009]) examining three dimensions of trauma (intrusion, hyperarousal, and avoidance) and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory ( Tedeschi & Calhoun [2004] ; Polish version prepared by Ogińska-Bulik & Juczyński [2010] ). The studies showed that over a period of one and half years, significant changes in PTG had taken place. Reportedly, changes in self-perception and changes in relating to others have decreased, while appreciation of life increased but spiritual life remained the same. The research also allowed us to distinguish several groups of corelates in changes in individual PTG categories. The studies also indicate that building a close relationship with the person who caused the harm can limit the victim’s PTG.

Narrative reconstruction and post-traumatic growth among trauma survivors: The importance of narrative in social work research and practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L Jirek
Keyword(s):  
Life Stories ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Personal Narratives ◽  
Traumatic Experience ◽  
Trauma Survivors ◽  
Life Narrative ◽  
Reconstruction Process ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Narrative Reconstruction ◽  
Post Traumatic

A substantial body of theoretical work on meaning-making processes postulates that assisting clients in reconstructing their personal narratives in the aftermath of trauma helps survivors to integrate the traumatic experience into their identities and life stories. However, the relationship between trauma survivors’ (re-)construction of a coherent life narrative and their development of post-traumatic growth (PTG) has rarely been explored. In this study, I conducted life story interviews with 46 university students with trauma histories to examine: (1) How, and to what degree, trauma survivors (re-)construct a coherent life narrative; and (2) If and how this process is connected to the development of PTG. I found that survivors who were able to articulate a coherent story about their lives experienced more PTG, and I identified key characteristics of three stages of post-trauma change. I also found that trauma-related therapy, writing, informal conversations, and self-reflection played important roles in the narrative reconstruction process. I argue that some narratives are easier to reconstruct than others because not all narratives are equally valued in society. The presence or absence of narratives in the discursive environment, the reception these stories receive within society, and the access that individuals have to these narratives are influenced by the historical moment, social norms, politics, power, privilege, and individuals’ social locations. To promote empowerment and social justice, social workers should help trauma survivors to reconstruct their life stories, create spaces for the less-welcomed narratives, and engage in mezzo- and macro-level efforts to address social problems and inequalities.

scholarly journals Diagnosis and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 785-789
Author(s):  
John Cooper ◽  
Andrea J Phelps ◽  
Chee H Ng ◽  
David Forbes
Keyword(s):  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Professional Treatment

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented stress globally, and the associated medical and health-related traumatic experiences pose significant risks for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the exacerbation of pre-existing PTSD, among patients, general practitioners (GPs) and healthcare staff. Objective The aim of this article is to provide guidance to GPs and healthcare staff working in Australia about the diagnosis and treatment of both newly developed and pre-existing PTSD in the COVID-19 context. Case studies are presented; the authors discuss whether pandemic-related PTSD is different to PTSD caused by different types of traumatic exposure, and the associated implications for treatment. Discussion The role of GPs in the management of PTSD during the COVID-19 pandemic remains central, involving early detection, assessment and referral. Moreover, health professionals are not immune to the mental health effects of the pandemic and are encouraged to maintain their wellbeing and to seek professional treatment if needed.

scholarly journals RESILIENCE AND POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH: EXPLORING THE PERCEPTIONS OF GAINS AFTER ADVERSITY IN OLDER ADULTS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S720-S720
Author(s):  
Lauren M Bouchard ◽  
Lydia K Manning
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Life Meaning ◽  
Major Life ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Everyday Stress

Abstract Resilience has been consistently shown across the literature as a protective factor in terms of aging successfully. Resilience is defined as a process of adjustment and adaptation, where painful life experiences can result in accumulative positive outcomes such as greater life meaning, hopefulness, and spiritual transcendence (Ramsey, 2012). These outcomes are also mentioned in the separate but related construct of “post-traumatic growth,” defined as positive outcomes (i.e. self-perception, improved interpersonal relationships, and a changed philosophy on life) which emerge after traumatic experiences (PTG; Tedschi & Calhoun, 1996). This study explored older adults perceptions on adaptation in regards to adverse life situations. Our findings indicate some participants were more likely to espouse resiliency and post-traumatic growth related explanations while others participants articulated difficulty in seeing the benefit related to the challenges they had faced. Similarly, participants faced a range of challenges from everyday stress to major life traumas, which also shaped perceptions of their own growth. Participants also indicated a range of orientations toward growth after adversity including denial, reluctance, acceptance, and optimism. Our results also suggest key differences in these constructs while they also remain similar and complementary in terms of our participants lives and stories. Our study also provides limitations and future directions in operationalizing PTG and resilience in the gerontological literature.

ASPECTS OF PROCESSING EXISTENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ANXIETY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
pp. 24-40
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. Mokhov ◽  
◽  
Svetlana L. Babushkina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Processing ◽  
Psychological Help ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Existential Crisis ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Existential Issues

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a real shock, forcing people to question the basic sense of security and face existential givens, such as finiteness of life, loneliness, freedom and meaning. The ongoing epidemic has sparked a wave of research on the mechanisms of effective stress coping in the situation of threat to life and safety. At the same time, more scientists are emphasizing the existential nature of anxiety caused by the pandemic, and the results of recent studies indicate a mediating role of existential anxiety between the symptoms of post-traumatic stress and post-traumatic growth. The purpose of this research is to study the aspects of processing existential experience and its connection with coping with anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed written interviews of 108 subjects aged 25-45 years, held during the second wave of coronavirus in Moscow, for the presence of existential issues of death, loneliness, freedom and meaning. The types of processing existential experience were distinguished; an empirical analysis of the connection between the aspects of processing the existential experience and trait anxiety was carried out. Results showed that 90% of respondents are confronted with one or more existential given, which may indicate the presence of a situational existential crisis. A connection has been found between an emotional processing of existential experience together with the availability of personal resources and successful stress coping during the pandemic. The necessity of including fundamental existential issues in the process of providing psychological help during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as assistance to people, who have had traumatic experiences, has been argued.

Abstract P222: Psychological Recovery After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage: The Role of Post-Traumatic Growth and Self-Compassion

Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne M Thorburn
Keyword(s):  
Subarachnoid Haemorrhage ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Relationship

Aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH), a subset of haemorrhagic stroke, is a potentially fatal condition with a mortality rate of approximately 50%. Of those that survive, some 60% will experience ongoing disability and impairment. Forty per cent of remaining survivors will experience what is deemed as a good neurological recovery. Despite good recovery, people have been found to experience negative psychosocial outcomes such as high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression and reduced levels of overall well-being. As a result, aSAH has been viewed as a traumatic life experience with the potential for ongoing psychological sequelae. More recently the literature has identified that traumatic experiences can also elicit an opportunity for growth. Post-traumatic growth (PTG) states that for some people, the experience of trauma may also result in positive psychological gains. PTG has previously been investigated as an outcome after natural disasters and in a range of medical conditions; however, no studies have investigated PTG after an aSAH. A recent study identified that PTG may play a psychologically buffering role after a diagnosis of breast cancer. It is possible that PTG may also play a protective role in recovery after an aSAH; however, this has not been investigated. This study comprised N = 251 adults who had experienced an aSAH, and were recruited from Australia, U.K., U.S.A., New Zealand, and Canada. This study examined whether people who have survived an aSAH experience PTG; if predictors including self-compassion (SC) and social support (SS) influence the development of PTG after an aSAH; and if PTG moderates the relationship between PTSS, and depression and subjective well-being. Regression analyses were utilised to analyse the data. Results showed that people experience PTG after an aSAH; SC predicted PTG; PTG was not found to moderate the relationship between PTSS and either Depression or SWB domains. Supplementary analyses were conducted with SC not a significant moderator between PTSS and either depression or SWB domains. However, SC was found to mediate the relationship between PTSS and Depression and PTSS and SWB domains.

scholarly journals Post-traumatic growth in psychosis: a systematic review and narrative synthesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiona Ng ◽  
Nashwa Ibrahim ◽  
Donna Franklin ◽  
Gerald Jordan ◽  
Felix Lewandowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Temporal Relationship ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Emotional Experience ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Psychotic Symptoms ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Post Traumatic

Abstract Background and objective People with psychosis report experiences of highly traumatic events. Positive change or post-traumatic growth (PTG) can occur as a result of traumatic experiences. Yet there is limited attention on PTG in psychosis, possibly due to the negative impact of psychotic symptoms on functioning and quality of life. The aim of this review was to identify significant correlates and mediators of PTG in psychosis, and to develop a conceptual framework synthesising facilitators of PTG in psychosis. Method Ten electronic databases were searched in seven languages, and five journals and grey literature were searched in English. Quantitative studies were eligible if examining correlates, mediators, or the temporal relationship between PTG and one or more variables. Qualitative studies were eligible if describing PTG arising from experiences of psychosis. Findings from quantitative papers were grouped by analysis method, with significant correlates, mediators, and temporal relationships descriptively reported upon. Narrative synthesis was conducted on findings in qualitative papers. Results Thirty-seven papers were included. Significant correlates and mediators of PTG were identified. Mediators of PTG in psychosis included meaning in life, coping self-efficacy, core beliefs, and self-reported recovery. No studies describing the temporal relationship between PTG and psychosis were identified. The narrative synthesis identified seven facilitators of PTG in psychosis: Personal identity and strength, Receiving support, Opportunities and possibilities, Strategies for coping, Perspective shift, Emotional experience, and Relationships, giving the acronym PROSPER. Conclusions Individuals with psychosis can be supported to grow from traumatic experiences. Clinicians can support PTG through the provision of trauma-informed care that supports positively valued identity changes. For researchers, the findings provide an evidence-based theoretical framework for conceptualising PTG, which can be validated through longitudinal cohort studies and underpin the development of new clinical interventions.

scholarly journals The Role of Coping Strategies in Post-Traumatic Growth among Syrian Refugees: A Structural Equation Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8829
Author(s):  
Busra Acar ◽  
İbrahim H. Acar ◽  
Omar A. Alhiraki ◽  
Ola Fahham ◽  
Yesim Erim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Traumatic Experiences ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mass Migration ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Post Traumatic

The Syrian conflict has led to a mass migration of Syrians to other countries and exposed them to many possible traumatic events and stressors in their country of origin and in the resettlement process. The possibility of positive psychological effects of adverse life events is less documented among Syrian refugees. Thus, the current study aimed to develop preliminary evidence for the identifying factors: traumatic experiences, post-migration stressors and coping strategies that are associated with post-traumatic growth (PTG) of Syrian refugees residing in Turkey. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used in the current study to assess the associations among these factors. Data were obtained from Syrian refugees residing in the governorates of Hatay and Mardin. A total of 528 Syrians, aged between 18–77 years (M = 35.60, SD = 11.65) participated in this cross-sectional study. Results from the SEM indicated that past traumatic experiences and post-migration stressors were indirectly related to PTG. The results from the current study provide support for that the association between refugees’ traumatic experiences, post-migration stressors and PTG appear to be explained through the presence of coping strategies which could be addressed in the psychotherapies and psychosocial interventions for refugees to promote positive psychological change. Future studies should address the effects of post-migration stressors on PTG in detail.

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