An ecological view of psychological trauma and trauma recovery

Abstract

This paper presents an ecological view of psychological trauma and trauma recovery. Individual differences in posttraumatic response and recovery are the result of complex interactions among person, event, and environmental factors. These interactions define the interrelationship of individual and community and together may foster or impede individual recovery. The ecological model proposes a multidimensional definition of trauma recovery and suggests that the efficacy of trauma-focused interventions depends on the degree to which they enhance the person-community relationship and achieve "ecological fit" within individually varied recovery contexts. In attending to the social, cultural and political context of victimization and acknowledging that survivors of traumatic experiences may recover without benefit of clinical intervention, the model highlights the phenomenon of resiliency, and the relevance of community intervention efforts.

The Mental Health Effects of Torture Trauma and Its Severity: A Replication and Extension

“…It was suggested that adding cultural and the ecological considerations will reduce the limitations of the individual model of recovery and counter the confines of the medical model of services (e.g., Kira, 2010;Summerfield, 2004). Individual models of recovery (e.g., Herman, 1997) and ecological models of recovery that have been suggested for interpersonal traumas (e.g., Harvey, 1996) needed to be adapted and adjusted to work with victims of torture and political violence (e.g., Miller, 1999). Holistic, interdisciplinary torture rehabilitation models emerged early on (by 1984) in Copenhagen by RCT group (e.g., Ortmann, Genefke, Jakobson, & Lunde, 1987).…”

Profil psychologique d’adolescentes agressées sexuellement et prises en charge par les services de la protection de la jeunesse

“…Par exemple, le modèle écologique du processus de guérison à la suite de violences interpersonnelles proposé par plusieurs auteures (Harvey, 1996 ;Herman, 1992 ;Lebowitz et al, 1993) s'avère particulièrement inspirant. Ce modèle comprend trois grandes étapes de guérison.…”

“…Trois groupes de variables permettraient de mieux comprendre les divers profils psychologiques Santé mentale au Québec, 2003, XXVIII, 2, 211-232 des personnes ayant vécu des agressions sexuelles, soit les caractéristiques personnelles, de l'environnement et des agressions (Harvey, 1996 ;Spaccarelli, 1994). Les agressions sexuelles représentent officiellement entre 6 % et 11 % des cas pris en charge par les Centres jeunesse au Québec (Roberge, 1998).…”

YouthÂ’s Perception on the Impact and Meaning of Working with Children

“…A brief review of literature on this topic will yield many therapeutic models and concepts on adults revisiting their childhood experiences as effective ways to achieve growth and freedom from their childhood wounds [12][13][14]. This research study focused on how a group of young adults naturally reflected on their own experiences while working with and helping children.…”