World assumptions and their role when facing trauma in urban Sierra Leone: a complementary mixed methods study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cross-cultural Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Western models of world assumptions lack universal applicability.
• Trauma's impact on these assumptions varies across cultures.
• Research is needed on non-Western contexts, like Sierra Leone.

Purpose of the Study:

• Examine the cross-cultural applicability of world assumption models in Sierra Leone.
• Investigate how trauma affects assumptive worlds in a Sierra Leonean context.
• Identify culturally specific patterns in world assumptions.

Main Methods:

• Qualitatively driven mixed-methods study with an emic-etic perspective.
• Explored assumptive worlds through 16 qualitative interviews.
• Assessed trauma's impact on assumptions via questionnaires for 280 students.

Main Results:

• World assumptions (benevolence, meaningfulness, self) are relevant but differ from Western patterns.
• Identified additional culturally specific assumptions.
• Trauma significantly challenged participants' assumptive worlds, impacting identity and life narratives.

Conclusions:

• Western models require adaptation for cross-cultural trauma research.
• Propose neutral terminology and additional facets for broader applicability.
• Contributes to a nuanced understanding of world assumptions in diverse populations.