Patterns and influences of coping with traumatic reminiscence in holocaustsurvivors

From the theoretical perspective of this contribution, analyses of psycholo gical adjustment and coping in holocaust survivors should not only focus on the presence versus absence of diagnostic criteria of mental disorders. Co ping with traumatic reminiscence in holocaust survivors is conceptualized a s human behavior reflecting competences and resources as well as chances an d limits of successful adjustment provided by life-long development and a g iven status in society. On the basis of a clusteranalysis five patterns of coping are distinguished. The number of persons characterized by specific c oping patterns indicates that most extermination camp survivors do possess effective coping abilities that allow them to establish or maintain a perso nal satisfying perspective on life. Coping patterns are influenced by biogr aphical factors as well as by specific characteristics of reminiscence, hea lth status, social integration and financial resources.