Table Of ContentDOCUMENT RESUME
CG 031 626
ED 463 472
AUTHOR
West, Cheryl D.
Pathways of Thriving and Resilience: Growth Responses to
TITLE
Adversity and Trauma in Two Cambodian Communities: A
Comparative Study between Lowell, Massachusetts and Phnom
Penh, Cambodia.
PUB DATE 2000-00-00
127p.; M.A. Thesis, University of Massachusetts Lowell. For
NOTE
related thesis abstract, see ED 461 073.
Masters Theses (042) Information
Dissertations/Theses
PUB TYPE
Analyses (070) Reports
Research (143)
EDRS PRICE MF01/PC06 Plus Postage.
*Asian Americans; Attitude Measures; *Cambodians; *Coping;
DESCRIPTORS
Cultural Context; Emotional Disturbances; Foreign Countries;
Individual Development; Posttraumatic Stress Disorder;
*Refugees; Research; *Resilience (Personality); Social
Support Groups; *Stress Variables; War
*Cambodia; Massachusetts (Lowell); Traumas
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This qualitative study investigated individual, contextual,
and cultural factors that promote trauma-related resilience and positive
growth among Cambodian survivors of the Pol Pot regime who reside in Phnom
Penh, Cambodia and Lowell, Massachusetts. A thriving paradigm framed
semi-structured interviews that were conducted with 21 Cambodians in Phnom
Penh and 21 Cambodians in Lowell. This study reports on the use of the Stress
Related Growth Survey, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, and the Thriving
Scale in examining determinants of stress-related positive outcomes for
Cambodian survivors. Content analysis was used to analyze case study data for
significant predictors of thriving as well as cultural definitions of
thriving and what resources support beneficial processes for Cambodians.
Optimism, social support, self-reliance, access to education, and use of
Buddhist principles were the major types of predictors of stress related
growth, resilience, and thriving identified from the analysis. Cambodian
participants reported that coping strategies played both a role in basic
survival and later in transforming their profound losses and challenges into
strengths. All participants reported that integrating a cultural context in
community programs, social resources, and health services are important
factors, which support healing and encourage positive growth outcomes for
Cambodians. (Contains 51 references.)
(Author/JDM)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
Pathways of Thriving and Resilience:
Growth responses to adversity and trauma in two
Cambodian communities:
A comparative study between Lowell, Massachusetts
and Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Cheryl D. West
B.S., University of Oregon
1994
SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN
COMMUNITY/ SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL
2000
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
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Points of view or opinions stated in this
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Table of Contents
page
List of Tables
vii
Chapter 1: Introduction
1
Chapter 2: Literature Review
3
Pathologizing Refugees
5
Trauma
7
Cross Cultural Models of Diagnostic Criteria
9
Refugee Resilience
12
Thriving Concepts
14
Theoretical Models of Thriving
16
Literature Summary
20
The Current Study
23
Southeast Asian Socio-historical Perspective
25
Buddhism
27
Statement of the Problem
29
Purpose of the Study
31
Case Study Design
34
Chapter 3: Methods
37
Procedures
37
Participants
39
Materials
41
Measures
44
3
iv
Analysis
45
Chapter 4: Results
48
Description of the Participants
48
Trauma Experiences
57
Loss
58
Trauma
61
Torture
62
Illness
63
Separation from Family
63
Death
63
Post Khmer Rouge Adversity
64
Phnom Penh Adversity
65
Lowell Adversity
67
Coping Strategies
69
Pathways of Growth, Resilience and Thriving
70
Self Perception
71
Relationship with Others
74
Life Philosophy
75
New Pathways
79
Chapter 5: Discussion
87
Trauma, Loss, and Adversity
88
Coping and Survival Strategies
89
Pathways of Step by Step Growth
90
Community and Social Factors of Resilience and Thriving
90
Cambodian Model of Resilience and Thriving
92
Methodological Limitations
94
Researcher Experience
96
Conclusion
99
Community and Social Psychology Roles
100
Community Implications
102
Future Questions
104
References
106
Appendices
110
Biographical Sketch of the Author
119
vi
List of Tables
Page
Characteristics of Participants
1.
40
Items in the Thriving Scale used in Interview
2.
42
Pathways of Growth
3.
85
List of Diagrams
1. Westermeyer Model of Western versus Traditional Definitions
10
2. Schaefer and Moos Model of Life Crisis and Personal Growth
17
3. O'Leary and Ickovics Resilience and Thriving Model
17
4. Tedeschi and Calhoun Trauma and Transformational Model
18
5. Aldwin Transformational Coping Model
19
6. Cambodian Model of Resilience and Thriving
93
vii
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, I am greatly indebted to the many courageous, resilient Cambodians
who risked "opening their hearts" while sharing their stories of profound loss and trauma that
were transformed to stories of exceptional triumph and victory. I will forever be inspired by the
"step by step" paths of survival and healing chosen by so many Cambodian mentors of resilience
who suffered and endured beyond comprehension. May joy and peace grace their pathways
as
they continue "step by step" to build on lessons learned.
During the course of both the research and the writing of this thesis many gave invaluable
assistance and guidance. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my thesis committee, Dr.
Bill Berkowitz, Dr. Jon Hellstedt, and Dr. Linda Silka for serving as beacons of light on my thesis
journey. Special appreciation is given to Dr. Linda Silka, the inspirational, mentor for many,
whom I learn from daily and deserves inexpressible gratitude. She provides continuous guidance
and support while exemplifying a gifted teacher who models how to learn and evolve in every
moment.
A million thanks to Chath pier Sath, my cherished friend and collaborator, who shared
the journey making it possible, while splashing zany strokes of humor and laughter amidst
challenging landscapes and processes. I would also like to thank Tooch Van for translating
research instruments and materials. Ongoing gratitude goes to my friends for encouraging me,
my children for believing in me, and my mother for sharing in the joys of each step taken on this
exciting path.
I also wish to express my gratitude to Dr. Lawrence Calhoun, Dr. Richard Tedeschi, Dr.
i'ma-Abraido-Lanza, Dr. Lawrence Cohen, Dr. Murch and Dr. Crystal Park for su generously
sharing their instruments, recent literature, thoughts and interest. In addition, I also wish to thank
Ellen Minotti at Social Services, in Cambodia for assisting Chath and myself, offering
constructive criticism, sharing her work in Cambodia and trusting in this thesis material.
Abstract
This qualitative study investigated individual, contextual, and cultural factors that
promote trauma related resilience and positive growth among Cambodian survivors of the
Pol Pot regime who reside in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Lowell, Massachusetts. A
thriving paradigm framed semi-structured interviews that were conducted with twenty-
one Cambodians in Phnom Penh and twenty-one Cambodians in Lowell. This study
reports on the use of the Stress Related Growth Survey (SRGS), the Posttraumatic
Growth Inventory (PTGI) and the Thriving Scale (TS) in examining determinants of
stress-related positive outcomes for Cambodian survivors. Interview content, based on
these three instruments was culturally modified to explore factors of stress-related
positive outcomes. Content analysis was used to analyze case study data for significant
predictors of thriving as well as cultural definitions of thriving and what resources
support beneficial processes for Cambodians. Optimism, social support, self-reliance,
access to education, and use of Buddhist principles were the major types of predictors of
stress related growth, resilience, and thriving identified from the analysis. Cambodian
participants reported that coping strategies played both a role in basic survival and later in
transforming their profound losses and challenges into strengths. All participants
reported that integrating a cultural context in community programs, social resources and
health services are important factors which support healing and encourage positive
growth outcomes for Cambodians.
1
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
During the last several decades, the international aid community has responded to
the aftermath of numerous civil wars. Responding to psychological stress and disrupted
systems of support has been a challenging aspect of this task. Numerous organizations
and researchers are investigating how individuals and communities are affected by wars;
they are investigating the relationship among social conflict and psychosocial distress and
cross-cultural responses (Marsella, Friedman, Gerrity, & Scurfiled, 1996; Marsella,
Bornemann, Ekblad, & Orley, 1994; Nader, Dubrow, & Stamm, 1999; and Utting, 1994).
Challenges faced by the international community are many. They include how to
create a balance between culturally ingrained methods of coping and external, often
foreign strategies; how to empower natural but damaged support systems; and how to
fully understand refugee coping processes. In response to these challenges, investigators
have begun to engage in a learning process that integrates the centrality of culture that
investigate methods of indigenous healing that examines how suffering and illness are
perceived, and that considers how traumatic stress is affected by a range of micro to
macro conditions such as individual characteristics, family relationships, socio-economic
factors, cultural influences, and community resources.
Considering the emerging cross-cultural challenge reflected in the refugee
experience, the research reported here was designed to investigate the ways that
Cambodians are coping with multiple adversities and trauma. Through this work we will
9
2
investigate what resources were helpful in recovery and life rebuilding processes, and
identify stress-related growth outcomes that facilitate resilience and thriving. The goal of
this research was to assess perceptions and factors of resilience and thriving among
Cambodians in Phnom Penh and Lowell. Enhanced understanding of paths taken by
individuals who exhibit Cambodian resilience will be shared with the Lowell community
and be used to suggest roles that community and social psychologists can take in training
and program development.
This report is based on field research conducted in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and
Lowell, Massachusetts over a period of eight months from July 1999 to February 2000.
It draws on both primary and secondary Cambodian interviews and resources. Forty-two
Cambodians, identified as resilient, were interviewed to gather in depth primary
information about their coping strategies and mediating influences that resulted in new
personal strengths. The verbatim transcripts were analyzed to identify themes pertinent
to stress related growth. In addition, twelve Cambodian secondary resources contributed
material and information relative to a Cambodian context and views on Cambodian
psychosocial issues.
As is perhaps the case with any single study, the findings are partial rather than
comprehensive. In the following chapter, theoretical assumptions relevant to refugee
trauma and resilience are outlined. In Chapter 3, an explicit description of the procedures
for this study is presented. Chapter 4 summarizes the study's main findings, which is
followed by a discussion of the results in Chapter 5. The concluding section suggests
future research and constructive roles for community and social psychologists.
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