Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.24869/psyd.2022.263

A QUALITATIVE STUDY ON POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH PROCESSES IN TRAUMA VICTIMS: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN

Samra Zubair Lodhi ; International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Seema Gul ; Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Amira Khattak ; Prince Sultan University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: A disaster is a traumatic event that many people may have witnessed and had various implications on their mental
and physical wellbeing. Psychologists have confirmed the fact that the traumatic event contributes not just to stress but also to
posttraumatic growth (PTG), which evolves through the attempt to reunify after trauma or accident has disrupted fundamental life
expectations. This study was conducted to explore and understand the factors leading to PTG among victims of disasters.
Subjects and methods: Thirty victims who experienced traumatic events were included in this study. Data were collected through
semi-structured interviews.
Results: Themes created include closeness to God (Allah), acceptance, contentment, self-reliance, a vision of life, and responsibility
as necessary factors leading to PTG. The highest percentage (88.1%) was observed for closeness to Allah and within that
Salat and Zikr (prayers and remembrance) as coping strategies were recorded for all 30 participants.
Conclusion: The findings show that religious beliefs and closeness to God can bring great changes in victims’ life after a
traumatic experience.

Keywords

posttraumatic growth (PTG); trauma; victims; disasters; qualitative investigation; Islam; Salat; Zikr; Pakistan

Hrčak ID:

280025

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/280025

Publication date:

5.7.2022.

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