Themes of resilience and growth in survivors of politically motivated violence.

Abstract

The experiences of 19 Israeli civilian survivors of politically motivated violence (PMV) between 2001 and 2003 were examined using in-depth interviews to elicit resonating narratives. The narratives were informed by demographic data and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale (PSS) self-report surveys. Four meaningful groupings or patterns of change emerged, reflecting various ways to experience the trauma of PMV: little or no growth, living the attack, resilience, and posttraumatic growth. Twelve descriptive themes of resilience and growth emerged from the data. The findings provide evidence that a positive psychological impact (PPI) can result from exposure to the trauma of PMV and provide deeper insights into posttraumatic growth, in particular: the primacy of the domains of new possibilities and personal strength; the focus on action growth; and the critical role of the integration of cognition and affect.

Exploring the Relationship Among Posttraumatic Growth, Life Satisfaction, and Happiness Among Korean Individuals With Physical Disabilities

“…The identification of personal strength is another domain of posttraumatic growth that has had a positive effect on resilience and psychological benefits (Konvisser, 2013;Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004). In a study of women coping with abusive relationships, Cobb, Tedeschi, Calhoun, and Cann (2006) found that the majority of participants realized that they had inner strength and the ability to overcome negative circumstances and, as such, tended to value the current life situation.…”

La importancia de lo relacional para el empoderamiento en justicia y verdad en miembros de una organización de familiares de desaparecidos por la violencia política en el Perú

“…Esta suerte de catarsis colectiva ayudaría al auto-reconocimiento de las propias fortalezas, facilitando un sentido de competencia personal y colectiva, que, de alguna manera, se refleja en sus imágenes personales (Tamayo, 2003;Crisóstomo, 2014), más aún cuando la identificación organizacional pasa también por el plano familiar. Resultados también similares a la evidencia sobre CPT y al rol del soporte social en tanto entornos que legitiman lo vivido y motivan su expresión (Tedeschi y Calhound, 2004;Prati y Pietrantoni, 2009;Konvisser, 2013). Enfatizar también los espacios para el duelo y la vinculación simbólico con sus desaparecidos que brinda ANFASEP (Peña, 2017).…”

“…Entre las bases que facilitan el CPT, se identifican básicamente dos: (a) el procesamiento cognitivo y afectivo del evento y (b) el soporte brindado por un entorno significativo. El primero, refiere al ejercicio centrado en darle sentido a lo vivido y explicitar consecuencias y opciones (Konvisser, 2013;Chan et al 2016). El segundo, lo relacional, alude a asociaciones significativas entre el soporte social y el CPT a raíz de contar con un entorno que acompañe y sostenga (Volgin y Bates, 2016) y facilite el afrontamiento y adaptación a la crisis y la creación de narrativas sobre lo vivido (Prati y Pietrantoni, 2009;Konvisser, 2013).…”

Exoneree Engagement in Policy Reform Work

“…This study utilizes policy process research techniques and follows the methodology in Konvisser's (2012Konvisser's ( , 2013Konvisser's ( , 2015 previous exploration of the psychological consequences of wrongful conviction (see also Clifford, n.d.). Data collection begins with pre-questionnaires to collect background information about the individuals and their wrongful conviction experiences, and their participation in innocence policy work.…”

“…The research goals of this study draw on theories of resilience and posttraumatic growth that focus on the possibility of positive psychological outcomes and wellness alongside continuing distress as a result of the struggle with a highly challenging life circumstance (Frankl, 2006;Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004) and seek to understand how one might move beyond the trauma of such events (see Konvisser, 2012Konvisser, , 2013Konvisser, , 2014Konvisser, , 2015Konvisser, , 2016.…”