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Spirituality and Resilience in Cambodia: a Trauma-Informed Perspective

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Spirituality and Resilience in Cambodia: a Trauma-Informed Perspective See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332278626 Spirituality and Resilience in Cambodia: A Trauma-informed Perspective Article · April 2019 CITATIONS READS 0 217 2 authors: Zoe Wyatt Mike Nowlin Deakin University 3 PUBLICATIONS 1 CITATION 6 PUBLICATIONS 10 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Factors that promote wellbeing and resilience for young people supported by Cambodian NGOs View project All content following this page was uploaded by Zoe Wyatt on 09 April 2019. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Global Journal of HUMAN-SOCIAL SCIENCE: C Sociology & Culture Volume 19 Issue 1 Version 1.0 Year 2019 Type: Double Blind Peer Reviewed International Research Journal Publisher: Global Journals Online ISSN: 2249-460x & Print ISSN: 0975-587X Spirituality and Resilience in Cambodia: A Trauma-informed Perspective By Zoe Wyatt & Mike Nowlin Deakin University Abstract- A vast number of children and young people globally face the harsh realities of war, genocide, natural disasters and other such tragedies. Yet there is limited research and few published studies that look specifically at how spirituality can be utilized as a trauma-informed approach to promote resilience and wellbeing for young people. Earlier research conducted with teachers and clinicians working with traumatized children at Hagar International Cambodia indicated a convergence of trauma-informed themes. In particular, a religious and spiritual approach to resilience was identified as one of the key factors for children in their recovery from trauma (Wyatt, et al, 2017; 2018). Hagar is a faith-based human rights organization providing advocacy services for women and children who have survived the most extreme cases of human rights abuse (Hagar International, 2015). This research continues with young people who have been supported by Hagar, exploring the protective factors that promote wellbeing and resilience. GJHSS-C Classification: FOR Code: 160809 SpiritualityandResilienceinCambodiaATraumainformedPerspective Strictly as per the compliance and regulations of: © 2019. Zoe Wyatt & Mike Nowlin. This is a research/review paper, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 Unported License http://creative commons.org/licenses/by -nc/3.0/), permitting all non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Spirituality and Resilience in Cambodia: A Trauma-informed Perspective Zoe Wyatt α & Mike Nowlin σ Abstract- A vast number of children and young people globally exploitation, are able to bounce back from adversity, face the harsh realities of war, genocide, natural disasters and when many have not experienced the quality of care and other such tragedies. Yet there is limited research and few attachment necessary to promote essential published studies that look specifically at how spirituality can development in their young lives. Moreover, it is argued be utilized as a trauma-informed approach to promote that whilst health professionals working with trauma resilience and wellbeing for young people. Earlier research conducted with teachers and clinicians working with survivors may have access to psychosocial guidelines traumatized children at Hagar International Cambodia that operate in the West, they often fail to recogise 2019 indicated a convergence of trauma-informed themes. In cultural explanatory models that are being used by ear particular, a religious and spiritual approach to resilience was survivors towards building personal and group resilience Y identified as one of the key factors for children in their recovery (Overland, 2013). 1 from trauma (Wyatt, et al, 2017; 2018). Hagar is a faith-based The ill-treatment of children needs to be seen in human rights organization providing advocacy services for the context of Cambodian history and culture, the women and children who have survived the most extreme devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge (KR) regime cases of human rights abuse (Hagar International, 2015). This (1975-79), intergenerational trauma and the complex research continues with young people who have been supported by Hagar, exploring the protective factors that current socio-economic climate which does not lend promote wellbeing and resilience. It is expected that for these itself to a simple explanation (Wyatt, et al, 2016). The young survivors of trafficking, gender-based violence and devastating outcomes of the genocide inflicted by the abuse, that religion and spirituality may offer a framework for Khmer Rouge regime and then the twenty years of life that bring meaning to individuals in the face of adversity. international isolation that followed continue to have This article brings together current research and practice, in an broader societal implications (Bockers et al, 2011; Field exploration of spirituality and resilience for trauma survivors in et al, 2013). This is largely due to half the population Cambodia. being under the age of 25, which causes numerous problems and leads to unrest, unemployment and ) I. Resilience in a Cambodian Context C higher levels of migration (US State Department, 2017). ( here has been minimal inquiry into how resilience Cambodia continues to be a vulnerable nation for Volume XIX Issue I Version is defined by varying populations outside of a human trafficking, as a source, transit and destination T Western framework and little is known about how country for traffickers (United Nations, 2017). This the current construct of resilience applies to non- vulnerability and the increase in human trafficking can western populations, particularly within marginalized be contributed to a number of factors including poverty groups (Boyden & Mann, 2005; Ungar, 2004). and high-unemployment (especially for adolescents and Furthermore, there is a divergence of resilience research youth), increased sex tourism, a socio-economic that is contradictory to adversity reactions detailed in the imbalance between rural and urban populations and a research of Western cultures. For example, the Western lack of basic education and safe migration (Reimer et al, sense of autonomy in mental health support (ie. going to 2007). Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in Asia see a therapist), rather than the protective wall of and 28.3% of the population survive on less than $2.30 community found in much of rural Asia may impact as to USD per day (World Bank, 2017). how PTSD symptoms are experienced. Ungar (2008) argues that the characteristics of resiliency differs II. The Construct of Resiliency significantly from culture to culture, largely impacted by There has been minimal inquiry into how Global Journal of Human Social Science the length of time exposed to adversity and the resilience is defined by varying populations outside of a individual’s capacity to locate adequate support, within Western framework and little is known about how the a culturally meaningful environment that promotes current construct of resilience applies to non-western wellbeing. Limited research exists on how marginalized populations, particularly within marginalized groups youth in low and middle income countries, particularly (Boyden & Mann, 2005; Ungar, 2004). Furthermore, those who are or have been involved in the sexual there is a divergence of resilience research that is Author α: Deaki n University / The Cabin Group. contradictory to adversity reactions detailed in the e-mail: [email protected] research of Western cultures. For example, the Western Author σ: Hagar International. sense of autonomy in mental health support (ie. going to ©2019 Global Journals Spirituality and Resilience in Cambodia: A Trauma-informed Perspective see a therapist), rather than the protective wall of trials and inability to secure a stable household income community found in much of rural Asia may impact as to in Cambodia, would potentially be re-traumatizing for how PTSD symptoms are experienced. Ungar (2008) many, post the KR regime and living through 20 years of argues that the characteristics of resiliency differs international isolation (Greene, 2015). significantly from culture to culture, largely impacted by the length of time exposed to adversity and the III. Children and Young People of individual’s capacity to locate adequate support, within Hagar International Cambodia a culturally meaningful environment that promotes Despite significant trauma in their young lives, wellbeing. Multiple studies conducted on trafficked many of the children Hagar has supported have victims found that within collectivist cultures such as developed the ability to bounce back from severe Cambodia, it is necessary that interventions adopt a adversity, cultivated the capacity to deal with adverse holistic, interdependent and interconnected approach to situations. Researchers globally have investigated health and wellbeing (Perrin, e al, 2001: Berry, 2006; resilience in children and young people to learn about Armendariz, et al, 2011; Overland, 2013). Particularly for the processes that support positive adaption and inform those who are, or have been, involved in the sexual 2019 practice and policy in the process (Masten & Cicchetti, exploitation are able to bounce back from adversity, 2016). As resilience research has advanced, common ear when many have not experienced the quality of care and Y factors associated with
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