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Cërmjani B, Kelmendi K. Exploring Resilience and Post-traumatic Growth Among Bereaved Adults in Kosovo. OMEGA-JOURNAL OF DEATH AND DYING 2024:302228241265391. [PMID: 39047121 DOI: 10.1177/00302228241265391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The study explores resilience and posttraumatic growth in adults in Kosovo who have experienced grief, using the Resilience Portfolio Model as a guiding framework. Twelve participants shared their experiences through semi-structured interviews, aiming to capture detailed personal narratives and insights into coping with loss. Thematic analysis of the data revealed three main themes: "Reaction to Loss," "Navigating through Loss and Embracing Adaptations," and "Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth." The findings highlight the transformative experiences contributing to personal development and resilience, emphasizing the significant role of cultural dimensions in shaping resilience and posttraumatic growth. The study underscores the importance of considering cultural context in therapeutic approaches to better support individuals in their recovery and growth from experiences of loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benita Cërmjani
- Department of Psychology, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Prishtina, Kosova
| | - Kaltrina Kelmendi
- Department of Psychology, University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", Prishtina, Kosova
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Ben-Shlomo S, Oreg A, Cohen N. Families of organ donors between Jews and Arabs in Israel during a military operation: Constructing meaning through participation in an epistemic Community - Media analysis of two cases. DEATH STUDIES 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38635693 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2024.2341881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
This study explores how bereaved families of organ donors become participants in an 'imagined epistemic community' of organ donor families, amidst a national conflict between Jews and Arabs in Israel. Utilizing a media case study approach, we identified factors contributing to the creation of this bi-national community and examined what the families received in return for their part. Additionally, we explored the reasons behind the community splitting into two separate entities. Based on the media reports, we suggest that entry into the community is conditional on donating organs during wartime, granting these families a special moral status in return, resonating messages of altruism, solidarity and coexistence. Further to this, we propose that when the Arab family felt they did not receive the expected recognition, they withdrew from the common community in favor of a separate national community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Ben-Shlomo
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Israel
| | - Ayelet Oreg
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Israel
| | - Noaz Cohen
- The Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar Ilan University, Israel
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Aleksic V, Gazibara T, Jeremic B, Gasic S, Dotlic J, Stevanovic J, Arsovic A, Milic M. Associations of night eating with depressive symptoms among health sciences students living in a postconflict region. Bull Menninger Clin 2024; 88:29-47. [PMID: 38527101 DOI: 10.1521/bumc.2024.88.1.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Populations affected by war may experience food insecurity, which could predispose them to eating disorders. A cross-sectional study was conducted among health sciences students in Northern Kosovo from November 2018 to March 2019. Data were collected using the sociodemographic Night Eating Questionnaire (NEQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The study sample comprised 534 students. The prevalence of students who had at least mild depression (BDI ≥ 10) was 20.6%. More frequent night eating was consistently associated with a higher EDI score in the total sample as well as in the subgroup of students whose EDI score was ≥ 10. In addition, having poorer sleep quality and having more anxiety symptoms were associated with having stronger depressive symptoms. In a population of health sciences students who live in a post-conflict region, night eating is associated with having stronger depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojkan Aleksic
- PhD student in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. Also teaches in the secondary school for nursing, Cuprija, Serbia, where Biljana Jeremic is a teacher
| | - Tatjana Gazibara
- Institute of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana Jeremic
- PhD student in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. Also teaches in the secondary school for nursing, Cuprija, Serbia, where Biljana Jeremic is a teacher
| | - Sanja Gasic
- The Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina, temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
| | - Jelena Dotlic
- Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia, and in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jasmina Stevanovic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Mitrovica, Serbia, and the Institute of Public Health of Serbia, "Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut," Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Arsovic
- The Military Medical Academy of the University of Defense, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Milic
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pristina temporarily seated in Kosovska Mitrovica, Mitrovica, Serbia, and the Institute of Public Health of Serbia, "Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut," Belgrade, Serbia
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Kelmendi K, Hamby S. Resilience After Trauma in Kosovo and Southeastern Europe: A Scoping Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2023; 24:2333-2345. [PMID: 35521976 DOI: 10.1177/15248380221093693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Most people who experience trauma want to thrive and often find paths to well-being and healthy functioning. This scoping review explores the existing evidence on adversity and resilience in southeastern European countries, focusing on Kosovo. There is a lack of research on trauma and resilience in cultures outside the US and Western Europe. The paper provides a brief cultural and historical overview of this region and the collectivist cultures found there. We draw from a range of interdisciplinary literatures to identify key strengths that have the potential to improve health outcomes for trauma victims in this region. Overall, 42 papers from PsycInfo and PubMed were identified, using keywords such as "resilience" or "health" and "Kosovo," "Balkans," and "Southeastern Europe." Findings from this scoping review show that different cultural values, norms, and societal ecologies impact resilience within these societies. Some strengths, such as social support and sense of purpose, echoed similar research in the US and Western Europe. There was also evidence that factors such as dignity, family solidarity, social activism, and nationwide meaning-making are strengths associated with resilience for these collectivist societies of southeastern Europe. We also consider the implications of the results for other post-conflict societies. Finally, findings from this review call for culturally sensitive strength-based perspectives in promoting health and well-being after the high dosages of trauma common in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaltrina Kelmendi
- Department of Psychology, University of Prishtina, Hasan Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - Sherry Hamby
- Sewanee: University of the South, Life Paths Research Center, Sewanee, TN, USA
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Hyseni Duraku Z, Jahiu G, Geci D. Intergenerational trauma and war-induced PTSD in Kosovo: insights from the Albanian ethnic group. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1195649. [PMID: 37637887 PMCID: PMC10449605 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1195649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction War has profound and deep-rooted ramifications for individuals and societies. War-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly prevalent in Kosovo. This study aimed to obtain insights into the prevalence of perceived PTSD symptoms and their relation to the traumatic experiences of two generations: parents (survivors of the Kosovo War) and youth (children born after the Kosovo War), with an emphasis on the Albanian ethnic group. These experiences were then compared to understand intergenerational trauma. The study also aimed to identify the factors affecting PTSD prevalence, the role of social support, and the participants' experience with mental health services. Method A total of 237 Kosovar Albanians (121 parents, 116 youth) from all seven districts of Kosovo were included in this study. Study variables were measured using the PTSD Checklist, the Life Events Checklist, Criterion A, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Results The results revealed that the youth had significantly higher levels of perceived PTSD symptoms and lower levels of perceived support than their parents. Youth whose parents had PTSD were more prone to experiencing PTSD symptoms than those whose parents did not have PTSD. These youth also experienced significantly more traumatic situations, such as exposure to sudden violent death or accidental death, assault with a weapon, sexual assault, and captivity. Participants with perceived PTSD and lower perceived social support needed mental health interventions significantly more than those without PTSD symptoms. Discussion The findings emphasize the importance of addressing the intergenerational nature of PTSD and identifying factors affecting its prevalence, including social support and access to mental health services. The study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to examine the complex and diverse nature of PTSD and its impact on individuals, families, and communities, especially in conflict-prone or conflict-affected societies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Genta Jahiu
- Department of Psychology, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtina, Kosovo
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Matos L, Indart MJ, Park CL, Leal I. "I'm Going to Tell You Something I Never Told Anyone": Ethics- and Trauma-Informed Challenges of Implementing a Research Protocol with Syrian Refugees. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1261. [PMID: 36674012 PMCID: PMC9859552 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As research subjects, refugees have numerous potential vulnerabilities. This study aimed to examine the ethics- and trauma-informed challenges of implementing a mental health research protocol with Syrian refugees living in Portugal. Guided by the integrated meaning-making model, the research project "Journeys in Meaning" employed a mixed-methods cross-sectional design to explore posttraumatic cognitive processing in refugees using two phases of data collection: two focus groups (Phase 1) to test the protocol and 39 in-depth individual interviews (Phase 2) to implement the protocol. Results examine the strategies used to address the following: methodological challenges related to protocol design, participant recruitment, and language; ethics- and trauma-informed challenges aimed at minimizing harm and maximizing benefit to participants that followed social justice principles; and perceived compassion fatigue on the part of the researcher following repeated empathetic exposure to traumatic content. Findings suggest the need for adaptive approaches to research with refugee populations that challenge strict compliance with the traditional principles of "do no harm" and researcher neutrality, and that accommodate individual and community complexities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Matos
- William James Center for Research, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Monica J. Indart
- Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Crystal L. Park
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Isabel Leal
- William James Center for Research, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal
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Matos L, Costa PA, Park CL, Indart MJ, Leal I. 'The War Made Me a Better Person': Syrian Refugees' Meaning-Making Trajectories in the Aftermath of Collective Trauma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:8481. [PMID: 34444235 PMCID: PMC8391383 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The centrality of the collective to Syrian identity and the ability of war to disrupt community ties have led to significant violations of Syrians' pre-war assumptions about themselves, the world, and their place in the world. Guided by the integrated meaning-making model, this qualitative cross-sectional study assessed Syrian refugees' meaning trajectories through their reappraisals of the war, attempts to repair community-informed shattered meanings, and those processes' outputs (i.e., meanings-made) and outcomes (i.e., perceived psychological adjustment). We conducted semi-structured cognitive interviews with 39 Syrian war-exposed adults living in urban communities across Portugal, most of whom were beneficiaries of higher education programs for refugees. Interviews were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results suggest that the war severely disrupted Syrians' sense of collective self, and that they repeatedly engaged in search for meaning, appraisals of the war, and reappraisals of shattered beliefs, life goals, and sense of purpose, both during wartime and in resettlement. In Portugal, despite persistent negative beliefs about the collective and ongoing and distressing searches for meaning, participants' lived experiences concomitantly informed positive meaning reappraisals, including progressive restoration of worldviews, new opportunities for self-realization, and newly-found purpose, leading to perceived psychological benefits and growth. These findings suggest that meaning-making is both a trajectory and a dynamic process, informed by place and sociopolitical context. Clinical work to facilitate adaptive meaning-making and meaning-informed psychosocial interventions that help restore refugees' shattered beliefs about safety, predictability, trust, and belonging, may be helpful directions to promote positive psychological adjustment and improve long-term integration prospects in refugees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Matos
- William James Center for Research, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.A.C.); (I.L.)
| | - Pedro A. Costa
- William James Center for Research, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.A.C.); (I.L.)
| | - Crystal L. Park
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;
| | - Monica J. Indart
- Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA;
| | - Isabel Leal
- William James Center for Research, ISPA—Instituto Universitário, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal; (P.A.C.); (I.L.)
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