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The perspective of siblings who are suicide-bereaved in Pakistan denote a rather underexplored but significant part of mental wellbeing. This qualitative research reconnoiters the feeling of people whose siblings have been lost in the event of a suicide while also aiming to bring light to the different facets of the grieving journey that they have navigated through. Using techniques of thematic analysis, data was collected using semi-structured interviews involving 8 participants who were siblings and belonging to a wide range of backgrounds, each of them offering a different and unique viewpoint that was shaped by their experiences and backgrounds. The analysis discovered seven predominant themes, each of which contained several subthemes. From these, a universal and main aspect of the bereavement process was emotional distress which was interlinked with coping mechanisms and resilience portrayed by siblings while undergoing that journey of grief. Furthermore, posttraumatic growth as a phenomenon came forth as an intricate interconnection of transformation of the individual due to huge loss. The research also revealed the extensive effect of stigmatization in Pakistani society regarding suicide. Nevertheless, the significance of Environmental Reward, complexities of stressed relationships and social support dynamics came forth as important features that shaped the experience of bereavement. The discoveries highlight the need for specialized interventions and support services that cater to individualized needs of individuals in Pakistan who are suicide bereaved. By identifying and authenticating their experiences, officials involved in making policies and mental health professionals can nurture a more effective and sympathetic method for helping those who are currently experiencing loss of a sibling due to suicide. This research contributes important discernments to the increasing literature on the topic of bereavement and emphasizes the importance of cultural bound

The thesis examined contemporary Vietnamese-Australian literature, investigating the ways Vietnamese-Australian writers – from boat people to generation 2 – understand their historical past and diasporic present, the directions their lives are taking, the pressures they face, and the way being diasporic has reshaped the way they represent both ‘homeland’ and ‘destination’.

This chapter discusses a community-based intervention aimed at enhancing the posttraumatic growth (PTG) of refugees in receiving societies. First, we contextualize this contribution by presenting the literature on PTG in forced migration. Specifically, we present the main factors identified in the literature as fueling the emergence of PTG among refugees, as well as interventions that have been carried out to enhance PTG in this population. We highlight the scarce existence of interventions in general, and of those with a community-based approach in particular. Later, we describe in depth the proposed community-based intervention, providing access to its implementation manual to facilitate its worldwide adaptation. Finally, based on our experience in southern Spain, lessons learned and implications for PTG promotion among forcibly displaced individuals are discussed. We stress the need to value the strengths of the refugees, to create safe community-based scenarios through peer-mentoring and peer-support-group formats, and to offer refugees the possibility of playing an active and meaningful role as agents of change in their own growth and that of their community.

A crippling concern that has swept the world and shown to be a significant public health issue is suicide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2022) show suicide is among the top ten leading causes of death in ages 10–64. The survivors of suicide are at increased risk of adverse consequences. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study explores the lived experiences of spouses of suicide loss (SOSL) living in the United States (U.S.) regarding the spiritual change (SC), the process of suicide bereavement, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) within ten years post-loss. To better understand lived experience, this study conducted one-on-one Zoom interviews with fifteen SOSLs within a ten-year post-loss, only after year one. Two research questions addressed the study: How do SOSL experience the suicide bereavement process, SC, and PTG? How do SOSL interpret the suicide bereavement process, SC, and PTG journey? Two theories guided the researcher throughout the study. Johnson and Zitzmann's (2020) post-homicide spiritual change (PHSC) theory is a nonlinear illustration of homicide survivors' spiritual changes after loss. While Worden's task-based mourning model illustrates four tasks of mourning, helping in the bereavement process. A hermeneutic phenomenological design assisted in revealing the lived experiences of all fifteen SOSLs. Van Manen's analysis approach was utilized to reflect upon the lived experience, which helped the researcher interpret and describe their SC, suicide bereavement, and PTG journey—utilizing this methodology allowed for an objective view to encompass the participant's experiences. Regarding RQ1, the lived experience, participants drew upon the dissociative feelings after a suicide loss, adjustment change after trauma, and a reflective approach during transformation. Several attested to additional trauma after the suicide. In response to RQ2, the SOSL interpretation of their lived experience, the expressi

Chronic mental illness has affected many Cambodian people, but, culturally, Cambodians aren’t accustomed to opening up and discussing their feelings, rather defining mental illness to craziness and seeking help is presumed taboo. Thus, Cambodians are often reluctant to talk about their experiences and/or their related illnesses. Though Cambodians have experienced inconceivable suffering and violence during the Khmer Rouge era, for the purpose of this thesis, I will be discussing the role of Cambodian women and investigate the extent of what they’ve witnessed and experienced. Cambodian women have suffered through many years of trauma and grief, during and after the Khmer Rouge regime, but have yet to fully explore the root of their mental health issues. All trauma involves loss, whether it be loss of safety or security, world-view, or the loss of a person by death or other types of separation. Characteristics of grief tend to overlap with those of trauma experience. It is important to remember that the way people grieve and process that grief varies from one person to the next. One of the questions I am asking in this capstone thesis exploration is: Could it be that sometimes the brain’s way of protecting us is to block out painful memories to teach us how to survive. This literature review will be examined and organized into four parts: writings about Cambodian women, trauma, grief, expressive arts therapy and how it relates to this population. Existing research supports the benefits of using Expressive Arts Therapy with Cambodian women who are finding their way to not only cope, but to discover everlasting tools to bring about healing into their everyday lives.

Background: Post-traumatic growth is a life change. People living with HIV who start to adapt to the current condition have a better life and positive emotion by rediscovering happiness. Post-traumatic growth occurs due to individual thoughts regarding life purposes and reviewing their life priorities. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the post-traumatic growth process experienced by people living with HIV. Methods: This study employed the qualitative study method with a descriptive phenomenology approach on six participants with HIV at Yayasan Sehat Peduli Kasih, Semarang. The participants were selected following the inclusion criteria, i.e., 24-25-year-olds with no cognitive disorders and regular treatments. The exclusion criteria in this study were participants who could not attend the interview process, although the researchers already made recurring appointments. The interview type utilized in this study was a semi-structured interview. The data analysis model in this study followed the data analysis steps of the colaizzi method. Results: Four themes emerged as part of post-traumatic growth. The four identified themes in this study are 1) early stage of HIV positive, 2) post-traumatic growth process, 3) becoming a better person after rediscovering life, and 4) future wishes after rediscovering life. The acquired themes are illustrations of post-traumatic growth in rediscovering life. Conclusion: Most People living with HIV have rediscovered purposes and wishes, although they continue to eliminate self-stigma and transform self-image to be positive. It is necessary to develop an HIV intervention program to improve and help the sufferers encounter internal stigma. The interventions include any ECT and spiritual mindfulness that focus on improving self-confidence.

Title of Thesis: POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH Alyssa Imes, Master of Fine Arts 2022 Thesis directed by: Associate Professor Shannon Collis, Department of Art POST-TRAUMATIC GROWTH “Trauma ebbs and flows It is unstable and unknown A terrain of progress While you weep, Lean on your willows The only way to stabilize, ……is to lean” (Alyssa Imes)

This paper considers the efficacy of utilizing Expressive Arts Therapies as a primary intervention in addressing the psychosocial needs of patients in cancer treatment and recovery. Significant evidence shows that a cancer diagnosis, current treatment protocols and the recovery process incur wide-ranging symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. At the same time, research is also beginning to demonstrate a remarkable potential for cancer patients to develop post-traumatic growth, if given the opportunity to integrate their experience. Particularly in the post treatment phase, cancer patients report feelings of hopelessness and emotional despair, but are able to process and account for their experiences when using Expressive Arts Therapies. Expressive arts based interventions enables patients to verbally and nonverbally determine where and how physical and emotional trauma has occurred and move forward toward wellness, recovery, and post-traumatic growth. Expressive Arts Therapies that address mental health in addition to physical wellness are defined and explored, with a distinct focus on mindfulness practices as a key element in fostering awareness, strengths and coping strategies. This paper provides discussion of how Expressive Arts Therapies can be used in hospitals or in a post treatment capacity as an integral part of their treatment and recovery plan.

This practicum project examines the relationship between military cultural identity and stigma in its association with mental health within the military in regard to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Utilizing social theory and psychological research, it proposes the redesign of the North Pavilion building on the Deer Lodge campus in Winnipeg. This project analyzes the potential of alternative healing environments centered around wellness to successfully challenge stigmas that deter those with PTSD from seeking treatment and promote reintegration. This process has resulted in an exploration of how interior design can reimagine mental healthcare environments in a more socially aware manner that addresses issues imbedded within military culture deterring individuals from seeking care. The underlying outcome is an interdisciplinary investigation that challenges stigma, promotes reintegration and aids in improving quality of life for individuals seeking treatment for PTSD and who may be undergoing a challenging transition from military to civilian life.

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the essence of the experiences of combat veterans with significant combat exposure who successfully completed their bachelor’s degree through a private online program despite the presence of challenges related and unrelated to their combat exposure. For the purpose of this study, combat veteran was generally defined as a veteran of the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or National Guard who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), or Operation New Dawn (OND). In addition, significant combat exposure was indicated by a score of “light-moderate” to “heavy” on the Combat Exposure Scale (CES). Educational resilience cycle and posttraumatic growth (PTG) were the two theories that guided this study. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, focus-groups, and document analysis. This study sought to answer four research questions: (1) How do combat veterans with significant combat exposure describe the experience of attaining their bachelor’s degree through an online program? (2) What challenges, if any, do participants describe they encountered as they pursued their online bachelor’s degree? (3) How do participants describe the experience of overcoming the challenges they identify to subsequently attain their online bachelor’s degree? (4) How do participants describe the impact of their combat experience(s) on their degree attainment? Transcendental phenomenological analysis was utilized to reveal two major themes that emerged from the data: It was (1) A Challenging Journey, and (2) A Fulfilling Journey. In addition to study findings and limitations, implications for stakeholders and recommendations for future research are presented.

[ES]El presente estudio explora el impacto que tuvo la violencia represiva de la última dictadura militar argentina en una muestra de familiares de personas detenidas desaparecidas (n=30) y de personas que sobrevivieron a las cárceles de la dictadura (n=22). De los resultados se extrae que un tipo de afrontamiento activo de la experiencia y un apoyo social positivo, se relaciona con la posibilidad de dar sentido a lo ocurrido y la generación de una identidad en el sobreviviente. A la inversa, las formas de afrontamiento marcadas por la evitación se relacionan con más sintomatología de estrés postraumático, mayor alteración en el proceso de duelo y mayor impacto negativo en las creencias básicas., [EN]This study explores the impact of repressive violence during the last Argentinean military dictatorship’s on a sample of relatives of people detained-disappeared for political reasons (n=30) and people who survived imprisionment and torture (n=22). Facing of the experience from a political point of view, remaining socially active and positive social support are string elements in providing sense to the experience and generating a positive identity as a survivor. Viceversa, hidding and avoidance are related to post-traumatic symptoms, difficulties in the mourning process and a greater negative impact on basic beliefs.

Like the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines they support, military families of the 21st century face a great deal of uncertainty. Today's adversary is terrorism, and elusive enemies combined with amorphous strategies make it difficult to quantify victory. The threat requires a flexible, responsive, and at times reactive military force. This environment -- volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous -- (VUCA) is characteristic of an era of persistent conflict and creates additional pressures for military families. Frequent deployments to combat zones are one aspect of this environment, and perhaps the greatest contributor to the strain military families experience. Despite the well-publicized negative impact deployments may create, they serve as an important and sometimes necessary tool in building strong and resilient military families. This paper contends that the experiences of protracted separations can serve to strengthen, rather than weaken, military families. They are necessary rites of passage that will help military families better cope with an uncertain future. The paper also will examine how changes in society have forced the services to modify their attitudes and policies toward military families. Finally, the paper will provide recommendations for areas that may require additional study and research., Strategy Research Project.

The breadth of interpersonal violence is continuously expanding. According to Broman-Fulks et al. (2006), current epidemiological studies estimate that between 50% and 70% of individuals in the United States have experienced some form of interpersonal violence during their lifetime. The occurrence of "traumatic incidents may create powerful affective responses in those who rescue, care for, and counsel the individuals directly affected" (Wilson & Lindy, 1994, p. 333). This emotional reactivity is especially prevalent among those that work with survivors of violent traumatic events (McCann & Pearlman, 1990). The variety of issues that mental health professionals encounter are multidimensional and include their work context, characteristics of their clients, and therapist variables. Due to such complexity, it is critical to consider the broad ramifications and scope of professional quality of life when addressing the outcomes of trauma work on mental health professionals. The purpose of this study was to analyze, through qualitative methodology, the professional quality of life of mental health professionals directly involved in the recovery efforts after the campus shootings that occurred at Virginia Tech on April 16th, 2007. A phenomenological research design was used to gather information regarding the experiences and perceptions of various mental health professionals. Two in-depth interviews were conducted to examine therapists' experiences regarding the vicarious exposure and growth potential involved in this work. Analysis from the data revealed two primary themes; changed perception due to shared traumatic exposure and the costs and benefits derived from trauma work. These themes depicted the professional consequences for mental health workers who have been directly affected by traumatic events and serve clients exposed to the same event. Findings indicate that self-awareness is a critical component to enhancing therapeutic lenses and professional and personal