AN INTEGRATED EXISTENTIAL FRAMEWORK FOR TRAUMA THEORY

In this paper, an integrated existential framework for trauma theory is presented. The framework is based on the clustering of current trauma theories into physical, relational, and intrapersonal categories, and the relation of these three clusters to Irvine Yalom’s ultimate existential concerns of life/death, connection/isolation, and freedom/responsibility. Recent research has revealed an interplay between the physiological and psychosocial aspects of traumatic experiences, suggesting that a theoretical integration which includes consideration of physiological change, fear conditioning, and relational impacts is required to fully address the impacts of trauma. The fourth existential concern, meaning/meaninglessness, is argued to underlie all of the aspects of trauma, forming a common connection between all theories. This paper undertakes a brief review of current theories in traumatology to illustrate the validity of the three theoretical clusters, explores the current application of existential theory to the conceptualization of trauma, and presents a unifying organizational framework for trauma theory based in existentialism. Critiques of theory integration and existentialism are explored, followed by an analysis of risks for existential theory in the application of this framework. Implications for future research and social work practice based on the existential framework are also presented.Dans cet article, un cadre existentiel intégré pour la théorie du traumatisme est présenté. Ce cadre est basé sur le regroupement des théories du traumatisme actuelles en catégories physique, relationnelle et intrapersonnelle, et sur la relation de ces trois catégories avec les préoccupations existentielles ultimes d’Irvine Yalom, de vie/mort, de connexion/isolement, et de liberté/responsabilité. Des recherches récentes ont révélé une interaction entre les aspects physiologiques et psychosociaux de l’expérience traumatique, suggérant qu’une intégration théorique incluant la prise en compte du changement physiologique, du conditionnement de la peur, et des impacts relationnels est nécessaire pour traiter pleinement les impacts du traumatisme. La quatrième préoccupation existentielle, la signification/absence de signification, sous-tend tous les aspects du traumatisme, formant un lien commun entre toutes les théories. Ce document passe brièvement en revue les théories actuelles en traumatologie pour illustrer la validité des trois regroupements théoriques, explore l’application actuelle de la théorie existentielle à la conceptualisation du traumatisme et présente un cadre organisationnel unificateur pour la théorie du traumatisme basée sur l’existentialisme. Les critiques de l’intégration des théories et de l’existentialisme sont explorées, suivies d’une analyse des risques pour la théorie existentielle dans l’application de ce cadre. Les implications pour des recherches futures et la pratique du travail social basé sur le cadre existentiel sont également présentées

Missed Opportunities for Growth in the Posttraumatic Helping Environment: The Role of Spirituality

This paper focuses on social work’s understanding of how posttraumatic counselling may help or hinder recovery from trauma. A qualitative case study was conducted using an autobiographic memoir that provides an in-depth personal narrative of one woman’s experience of trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, the posttraumatic helping environment, and healing journey. Inductive thematic analysis uncovered themes that align with the existing literature. Novel or understudied aspects for consideration also emerged, including the importance of psychoeducation, behavioural activation, and secondary factors related to the posttraumatic environment that impede healing. The analysis highlighted missed opportunities to clinically address issues of identity and meaning in a spiritually sensitive manner. Although the narrator made it clear to helping professionals that she was struggling with religious beliefs and was in spiritual crisis, helping professionals seemed to eschew exploration of these concerns. Implications for clinical social work practice and future research are discussed

Missed Opportunities for Growth in the Posttraumatic Helping Environment: The Role of Spirituality

This paper focuses on social work’s understanding of how posttraumatic counselling may help or hinder recovery from trauma. A qualitative case study was conducted using an autobiographic memoir that provides an in-depth personal narrative of one woman’s experience of trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, the posttraumatic helping environment, and healing journey. Inductive thematic analysis uncovered themes that align with the existing literature. Novel or understudied aspects for consideration also emerged, including the importance of psychoeducation, behavioural activation, and secondary factors related to the posttraumatic environment that impede healing. The analysis highlighted missed opportunities to clinically address issues of identity and meaning in a spiritually sensitive manner. Although the narrator made it clear to helping professionals that she was struggling with religious beliefs and was in spiritual crisis, helping professionals seemed to eschew exploration of these concerns. Implications for clinical social work practice and future research are discussed