COPING STRATEGIES IN THE NARRATIVES OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

Citation
P. Suedfeld et al., COPING STRATEGIES IN THE NARRATIVES OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS, Anxiety, stress, and coping, 10(2), 1997, pp. 153-179
Citations number
62
Categorie Soggetti
Psychiatry,Psychiatry,Neurosciences
Journal title
ISSN journal
10615806
Volume
10
Issue
2
Year of publication
1997
Pages
153 - 179
Database
ISI
SICI code
1061-5806(1997)10:2<153:CSITNO>2.0.ZU;2-I
Abstract
Although the memories of Holocaust survivors have been explored in a v ast number of autobiographical, biographical, and clinical publication s, there has been very little application of nomothetic as opposed to idiographic methodology in this area. Group-based research has primari ly involved clinical samples. The current study was designed to obtain objective, quantitative data as to how survivors now functioning in t he community recall coping with the problems that they had confronted. Content analysis was performed on 30 videotaped autobiographical inte rviews of Holocaust survivors, comprised of 5 men and 5 women in each of 3 age groups (child, adolescent, or adult at the end of the Holocau st). There were significant time period (pre-Holocaust, Early and Late Holocaust, post-Holocaust) differences in the appearance of 8 coping strategies; age differences in 2 strategies; and 2 significant age x t ime period interactions. In general, memories of coping during the Hol ocaust emphasize direct, problem-oriented behavior, although mention o f religious faith, superstition, and luck also increased. Seeking soci al support decreased temporarily during the Holocaust. Purely emotiona l amelioration strategies did not increase for the Holocaust period. S ystematic content analysis of oral history archives can serve as a use ful quantitative, nomothetic addition to the predominantly qualitative , idiographic psychological literature of the Holocaust.