A psychological sense of community as experienced among immigrant survivors of torture

Survivors of torture do not merely overcome the challenges posed by torture in order to develop a psychological sense of community among each other. Participants in this study used the understanding of torture and the unequivocal condemnation of it as a boundary within which they could develop connections with others. Among those who share this value, members influenced each other‘s new narratives about what it means to have been tortured, and about what it means to become survivors. This influence toward survivorship filled an important psychological need. The new narrative and the fulfilled needs also became the basis for the emotional bonds that strengthened the connections of individuals to the community. This insight helps us understand how the elements of the psychological sense of community can complement one another in working together. It clarifies how communities can aid in the recovery of those who have been significantly injured by torture.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2010

Author dc:creator

• Bothne, Nancy

• Psychological sense of community
• refugees
• immigrants
• survivors

Repository record dc:identifier

https://via.library.depaul.edu/etd/11

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:via.library.depaul.edu:etd-1052