The Paradox of Well-Being and Holocaust Survivors

Abstract

It may be that HS report high life satisfaction not despite, but because of, experiencing early life trauma, juxtaposing early years with the comparatively good conditions of their lives today.

Dark tourism, the holocaust, and well-being: A systematic review

“…However, HSs present high life satisfaction; Bachner et al [ 144 ] found that it may be not despite but because of experiencing early life trauma, juxtaposing early years with the comparatively good conditions of their lives today. Cohen and Shmotkin [ 155 ] found that Holocaust survivors reported significantly lower happiness in their anchor periods than the comparison groups; happiness and suffering in Holocaust periods (i.e., anchor periods during the Holocaust), when juxtaposed with happiness and suffering in non-Holocaust anchor periods (i.e., anchor periods which occurred before or after the Holocaust), significantly related to the survivors' present happiness and suffering.…”

Holocaust survivors: Health and longevity 70 years later

“…Compared to matched controls, the survivors actually displayed improved outcomes following surgery, rehabilitation, and return to the community 25 . Indeed, the “paradox of wellbeing among older Holocaust survivors”, 26 together with the sustained high levels of life satisfaction 16 further suggests the possibility of post traumatic growth contributing to the resilience observed among survivors reaching advanced old age. During the immediate and early postwar period HS suffered from increased morbidity and higher mortality rates.…”

From Posttraumatic Stress Disorder to Posttraumatic Growth: A Paradigm Shift or Paradox?

“…They reported that the positive correlation was greater for children than adults; it was a curvilinear association in terms of time, such that growth occurs later, over time; and it was more pronounced with certain types of trauma, such as caregivers of a child who suffered trauma and in war conflicts, and less correlated with sexual trauma and disease experiences. Bachner, Carmel, and O’Rourke (2018) found that Israeli holocaust survivors, even though older and less educated than comparison groups of Israelis and Canadians, had similar levels of life satisfaction. These authors concluded that the survivors of early life trauma reported “high life satisfaction not despite, but because of,” their early life traumas (Bachner et al, 2018, p. 45).…”

“…Bachner, Carmel, and O’Rourke (2018) found that Israeli holocaust survivors, even though older and less educated than comparison groups of Israelis and Canadians, had similar levels of life satisfaction. These authors concluded that the survivors of early life trauma reported “high life satisfaction not despite, but because of,” their early life traumas (Bachner et al, 2018, p. 45). These studies, like the case of Matt Mika, suggest that PTG may be a paradoxical experience.…”