COPING STRATEGIES IN THE NARRATIVES OF HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

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.