A Scoping Review of Resilience in Survivors of Human Trafficking

Knight, Logan; Xin, Yitong; Mengo, Cecilia

doi:10.1177/1524838020985561

Cited by 17 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…It is vital to view survivors as part of socioecological systems and have conversations surrounding ways to build safety and positive relationships within these systems. This can be accomplished through individual and group counseling, mentorship programs, survivor-led support groups, educational opportunities, and other relationships (Knight et al, 2021). PERMA is used to support growth, agency, and well-being across a survivor's lifespan and within the systems that they engage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a positive psychology framework to empower survivors of human trafficking.

Crisp,

Johnson

2024

Psychological Perspectives on Human Trafficking: Theory, Research, Prevention, and Intervention.

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• Crisp and Johnsonlife (Rashid & Seligman, 2018)? Through the process of wrestling with these questions, Seligman founded and launched positive psychology in 1999.Positive psychology has been defined as an umbrella term used to stimulate and organize research, application, and scholarship on strengths, virtues, excellence, thriving, flourishing, hope, resilience, flow, and optimal functioning (Donaldson & Ko, 2010;Rashid & Seligman, 2018). The focus on strengths, solutions, and meaning making can be viewed as crucial and complementary to traditional problem-focused practice. One may argue that positive psychology has been instrumental in guiding this shift in conceptualizing psychotherapeutic intervention away from client deficits toward a focus on client assets.The process of integrating a positive psychology framework into the work that one does with survivors of trafficking looks like focusing on strengths versus symptoms, resources instead of risks, and hope instead of regrets, to bring somatic, relational, emotional, and spiritual balance (Rashid & Seligman, 2018). Hopper (2017) indicated that utilizing an empowerment approach may increase access to services for trafficking survivors, reiterating that complex trauma treatment emphasizes the development of competencies not solely on symptom reduction. Johnson (2012) wrote that both breadth of knowledge and sensitivity are needed in the provision of aftercare services for those exiting a life of victimization, further advocating for the inclusion of a strengths-focused perspective. In a study on resilience and personal growth in sex trafficking survivors, Sobon (2014) encouraged service providers to identify every potential strength and to view these courageous individuals as possessing skills and assets useful for their future.Ultimately, psychologists and individuals on multidisciplinary teams that utilize positive psychology believe that even when hard things happen, it is through understanding strengths and positive pursuit of regulation with self and others, that one can experience meaning, resilience, and posttraumatic growth. Providers must understand the complex trauma and psychological growth development associated with trafficking and use this knowledge to help survivors build self-esteem, empowerment, and reconnection with themselves and society (Clawson et al., 2008;Hopper, 2017). In an effort to assimilate positive psychology as it relates to all typologies of trafficking and how it can be integrated into the diversity of survivors, this chapter identifies the theoretical tenets of positive psychology, ways to integrate a positive psychology framework into one's work with survivors of human trafficking, as well as how positive psychology is essential when helping survivors move into a place where they are not just defined by their victimization but empowered into their potential.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a positive psychology framework to empower survivors of human trafficking.

Crisp,

Johnson

2024

Psychological Perspectives on Human Trafficking: Theory, Research, Prevention, and Intervention.

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“…For instance, academia has rarely called for definitions of resilience in ways that foregrounds cultural and contextual sensitivity to the experiences of marginalized and stressed populations (Panter-Brick et al, 2018;Ungar, 2008Ungar, , 2013. Community voices, particularly the voices of the vulnerable, have been largely missing from academic discourses of what "resilience" means (Knight et al, 2021b). "Non-academics," especially those from marginalized populations, are typically the subject of research but have rarely been invited to the intellectual grounding of a field of knowledge which impoverishes knowledge, and perpetuates the impact of inequity on knowledge production (Reyes Cruz, 2008).…”

Section: The Current State Of Resilience Research In Terms Of Definit...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“You come up from the ashes, and you’re like a phoenix.” Survivors of sex trafficking define resilience

Knight

Yoon

2023

Qualitative Social Work

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The study of resilience has largely relied on definitions and conceptualizations of resilience produced by academia, with little of the knowledge produced being grounded in the experience and perspectives of those outside academia. The voices of marginalized and stressed populations are particularly rarely integrated into sanctioned institutional discourses of knowledge, reproducing inequality where these institutions have influence. Specifically, little research has explored the ways in which survivors of sex trafficking define and conceptualize resilience. Thus, academic inquiry into survivor resilience may risk missing what is important to survivors themselves regarding the issue. Using thematic analysis, this study explored survivors’ responses to the question “What does ‘resilience’ mean to you?”, which resulted in five themes: resilience as (1) resistance, (2) transition, (3) a sustained force over time, (4) transformation, and (5) resources. Participants defined resilience as being primarily a person-centered phenomenon, rather than a process-centered phenomenon, that was the output of their inherent and enduring personal power to survive or overcome and adversity, and to shape their lives in preferred ways despite adversity. Differing from academic definitions of resilience in several significant ways, participants conceptualized resilience as being promoted by external resources and opportunities but existent even in the absence of such resource and opportunities. Findings suggest that for resilience inquiry to resonate with survivors, it must first acknowledge the inherent power of survivors.

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“…These include dispositional traits such as adaptability, as well as assets and resources such as spirituality, education, and financial aid (e.g., Hickle, 2017). Positive interpersonal relationships with a variety of different actors, such as family members, faith-based community members, mentors, and service providers, are the most commonly mentioned protective factors in the current literature (Knight et al, 2021). Regarding risk factors, survivors report that mistrust of, or negative experiences with healthcare, social services, law enforcement, and legal services can hinder them from accessing services and otherwise reaching out for help (e.g., Nichols & Heil, 2014; O’Brien, 2018).…”

Section: Risk and Protective Factors In Survivors Of Sex Traffickingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While research on trafficking began in earnest about 20 years ago, there remains limited knowledge about post-trafficking outcomes, such as complex posttraumatic stress and housing insecurity, and effective approaches for addressing the negative outcomes associated with sex trafficking after survivors exit their trafficking situations (Bossard, 2022; Bryant & Landman, 2020). Notably, very few studies have focused on understanding or promoting survivors’ resilience as a means of understanding survivors’ post-trafficking strengths and needs and improving post-trafficking outcomes (Knight et al, 2021).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Qualitative Study of Risk and Protective Factors for Resilience in Survivors of Sex Trafficking

Knight,

Ploss,

Benavides

et al. 2023

Violence Against Women

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This study explored risk and protective factors for resilience in survivors of sex trafficking from the survivors’ perspectives. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants recruited from survivor-led advocacy agencies and social service agencies that provide trafficking-specific services. Two overarching themes emerged from data analysis: (a) deep connections to self and others facilitate resilience and (b) detrimental “help” threatens survivors’ resilience. Our findings suggest that it may be important for service providers to assist survivors build healthy relationships with themselves and others to promote survivors’ resilience. Further, our results highlight the importance of offering more inclusive, survivor-centered, and trauma-informed services.

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A Scoping Review of Resilience in Survivors of Human Trafficking

Cited by 17 publications

References 71 publications

Using a positive psychology framework to empower survivors of human trafficking.

Using a positive psychology framework to empower survivors of human trafficking.

“You come up from the ashes, and you’re like a phoenix.” Survivors of sex trafficking define resilience

A Qualitative Study of Risk and Protective Factors for Resilience in Survivors of Sex Trafficking

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