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COPING WITH WAR TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES: CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM PERSPECTIVES IN EAST TIMOR
Resource type
Authors/contributors
- Costa, Julieta da (Author)
- Gassner, Franz (Contributor)
- University of Saint Joseph (Contributor)
Title
COPING WITH WAR TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES: CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM PERSPECTIVES IN EAST TIMOR
Abstract
The researcher aims to understand how Christian and Muslim communities in
East Timor cope with and recover from trauma arising from war, violence, and conflict.
The research seeks to identify critical spiritual and religious coping mechanisms as
present in East Timor (Timor Leste) that could help victims heal and reconstruct their
lives after a war trauma experience.
The study uses a mixed method, first deploying a quantitative investigation of
Christian and Muslim communities in East Timor. The questionnaire aimsto understand
how religion and spirituality feature in individuals' coping with trauma and the healing
practices prescribed or encouraged by religious institutions and practices. In addition,
a qualitative research and thematic analyses have been conducted and added with the
facilitation of 6 Interviewees, 3 Muslims, and 3 Christians.
This study aimed to investigate trauma levels and religious coping strategies
among participants from East Timor. The quantitative findings indicated that the
participants experienced a moderate level of trauma, with trouble sleeping being the
most significant symptom. The qualitative findings revealed in some participants a high
level of traumatic experiences. Recurrent thoughts of traumatic events and feeling
jumpy were also prevalent. However, feeling strange around people or objects and
feeling personally damaged by the trauma were less common. Regarding coping
strategies, participants tended to rely on positive religious coping, seeking a stronger
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connection with God, finding comfort in religious communities and beliefs, and using
spiritual interventions to manage emotions and worries, finding healing and a path
toward the future.
Both Catholics and Muslims employed positive religious coping strategies, with
Catholics showing a slightly higher level in their utilization. However, the difference
between the two groups was minimal. Positive coping strategies were more frequently
used by participants from both religious backgrounds, highlighting their importance in
dealing with trauma.
Positive religious coping did not significantly impact trauma symptoms,
showing no decrease or increase. However, a notable positive correlation existed
between negative religious coping and more severe trauma symptoms. Individuals
relying on negative coping strategies were more likely to experience heightened trauma
symptoms.
These findings align with previous research, emphasizing the positive
association between Islamic appraisals and religious coping with better post-traumatic
adjustment, while trauma-related appraisals are linked to worse adjustment. The study
underscores the need to respect individual coping variations and recognizes the impact
of negative religious coping on trauma experiences
University
University of Saint Joseph
Place
Macau
Date
2024
# of Pages
153
Language
eng
Short Title
COPING WITH WAR TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES
Library Catalog
Library Catalog (Koha)
Call Number
M-CP 2024 COS,JUL
Notes
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Saint Joseph, August 2024Supervisor : Franz Gannser
Citation
Costa, J. da. (2024). COPING WITH WAR TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES: CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM PERSPECTIVES IN EAST TIMOR [University of Saint Joseph]. https://library-opac.usj.edu.mo/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=220578
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