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Shared traumatic reality in communal disasters: toward a conceptualization
1Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel. nehami@hotmail.com
Psychotherapy (Chicago, Ill.)
|March 10, 2012
Summary
This study explores "shared traumatic reality," where helpers and helpees face communal disasters together. It defines the concept and distinguishes dynamics in emergency aid versus ongoing psychotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Disaster Mental Health
Background:
- The concept of shared reality, shared trauma, or shared traumatic reality describes situations where both helpers and those receiving help are exposed to the same communal disaster.
- Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for mental health professionals working in disaster settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To trace the historical development and conceptual evolution of "shared traumatic reality."
- To analyze the conditions under which the concept was acknowledged, articulated, and labeled.
- To offer a literature-based conceptualization of shared traumatic reality, including its distinct dynamics and a preliminary definition.
Main Methods:
- Literature analysis to trace the concept's development and changes over time.
- Conceptual analysis to identify distinct dynamics within the phenomenon.
- Synthesis of findings to propose a preliminary definition and characterize features.
Main Results:
- The term "shared traumatic reality" has evolved, with specific conditions influencing its acknowledgment and articulation.
- The phenomenon is characterized by two distinct dynamics: one for professionals in the emergency phase and another for those in ongoing psychotherapy.
- A preliminary definition encompassing shared features and distinct characteristics of each dynamic is proposed.
Conclusions:
- Shared traumatic reality involves unique challenges and dynamics for both emergency responders and psychotherapists.
- Differentiating these dynamics is essential for effective therapeutic interventions following communal disasters.
- Further research can refine the definition and application of shared traumatic reality in clinical practice.
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