Beyond the Boundaries of the Psyche: An In-Depth Examination of the Recovery Processes From Existential Vacuum and Coping Strategies of Psychologically Traumatised Individuals-A Qualitative Study.

Sensory balance is the individual's ability to regulate internal and external sensory stimuli to remain in a functional and balanced state. This study aims to explore in depth the experiences of psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims in building sensory balance and well-being. Psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims may be constantly exposed to intense sensory stimuli such as yelling and agitation. It is known that post-traumatic stress disorder and burnout are seen in nurses caring for these individuals; however, it is noteworthy that studies on how this process is reflected sensoryly in individuals are limited. Snowball sampling method was used in this qualitative phenomenological study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 volunteer psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview form and analyzed using Colaizzi's method. COREQ guidelines were adhered to throughout the research process. Four categories and a total of eight themes were obtained from the in-depth interviews. "Traces of Traumatic Contact, Emotional Armor and Inner Distance, Transformation through Exhaustion, Institutional Silence and Seeking Solidarity". This study shows that psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims are both professionally and individually traumatized and face the risk of losing their identity. It has also been found that nurses withdraw both sensorially and emotionally and experience burnout. But in some cases this process transforms into the development of awareness and maturity. It was also found that despite adverse working conditions, contact with nature, silence and collegial solidarity played a protective role in rebuilding well-being. This study addresses in depth the sensory, emotional and identity impacts experienced by psychiatric nurses caring for trauma victims and draws attention to the effects of these conditions on the process of well-being construction. The results of the study provide important points for the development of education, self-care and institutional support mechanisms to support nurses' well-being.

Background: Natural disasters can cause material losses and psychological trauma, but on the other hand, it has the potential to trigger positive impacts such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Therefore, this study will specifically examine PTG in adolescent survivors of the Mount Merapi eruption in Balerante Village, Kemalang, Central Java. Objective: Exploring more deeply about PTG (Post-Traumatic Growth) in adolescent survivors of the Merapi volcanic eruption in Balerante Village. Method: A qualitative phenomenological approach involving four subjects aged 19-24 years who directly experienced the Mount Merapi eruption disaster. Informants were selected using the snowball sampling technique. Data collection was conducted through observation and in-depth interviews. The data analysis technique employed was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Result: The results showed that PTG in adolescent survivors of the Mount Merapi eruption was reflected in disaster preparedness, positive post-traumatic changes, and the emergence of new ambitions. Factors contributing to PTG included social support and individual spirituality. Conclusion: Trauma can be a turning point for adolescents, allowing them to grow into more resilient individuals in living their lives. Keywords: Adolescents; mount Merapi eruption disaster; posttraumatic growth. Abstrak Latar Belakang: Bencana alam dapat menyebabkan kerugian materi, dan trauma psikologis, namun juga berpotensi memicu dampak positif seperti posttraumatic growth (PTG). Meski penelitian PTG pada penyintas bencana alam sudah banyak dilakukan, kajian spesifik tentang PTG pada remaja penyintas erupsi Gunung Merapi di Desa Balerante, Kemalang, Jawa Tengah, belum tersedia. Tujuan: Mengeksplorasi lebih mendalam mengenai PTG pada remaja penyintas bencana erupsi Gunung Merapi di Desa Balerante. Metode: Kualitatif fenomenologi yang melibatkan empat subjek berusia 19-24 tahun yang mengalami langsung bencana Erupsi Gunung Merapi. Informan dipilih melalui teknik snowball sampling. Pengambilan data menggunakan observasi dan wawancara mendalam. Teknik analisis data yang digunakan yaitu Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Hasil: Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan PTG pada remaja penyintas bencana erupsi Merapi ditunjukkan dalam bentuk kesiagaan menghadapi bencana, perubahan positif setelah trauma, dan munculnya ambisi baru. Faktor pendorong yang mempengaruhi PTG diantaranya dukungan sosial dan spiritualitas pada masing-masing individu. Penelitian ini diharapkan dapat mendukung intervensi psikologis dan program penguatan potensi PTG. Simpulan: Trauma dapat menjadi titik balik bagi remaja untuk tumbuh menjadi individu yang lebih tangguh.dalam menjalani kehidupan. Kata Kunci: Bencana erupsi gunung Merapi; posttraumatic growth; remaja.

Intensive care nurses are frequently confronted with death as part of their professional life. Continuous contact with death may cause a personal or professional existential transformation in nurses. This transformation may trigger individuals to question the meaning of life and trigger personal transformation processes. However, qualitative studies on how such experiences reflect on nurses' existential perceptions and meaning-making processes are limited. The aim of this study was to examine the reflections of intensive care nurses' experiences of facing death on their existential transformation and meaning-making processes. The study was designed using a descriptive phenomenological approach. Nurses working in various intensive care units of a university hospital in Turkey, who had at least three years of experience in intensive care and had encountered patient death at least once during their professional practice, were included in the study. Participants were recruited using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected through 17 in-depth individual interviews with semi-structured quide and analysed using Colaizzi's seven-stage analysis method. COREQ guidelines were used for reporting the research process. Based on participant narratives, four main emergent themes were identified at the highest level of the analytic hierarchy, supported by eight theme clusters. The four primary emergent themes were as follows: (1) The first confrontation with death; (2) The constant encounter with death; (3) Authentic Living in the Face of Death; and (4) Strategies for coping with death. Confrontation with death triggers deep existential transformations in intensive care nurses at both personal and professional levels, triggering a process of reinterpreting life and professional roles. Although this experience sometimes has effects that are challenging, it contributes to the transformation of nurses' value judgements, life priorities and understanding of care; thus, it enables them to develop a more holistic awareness. The findings of this study demonstrate that intensive care nurses' experiences of confronting death have significant existential implications at both personal and professional levels. These results highlight the importance of implementing reflective and meaning-centred interventions, providing death awareness training and fostering a culture of existential safety within intensive care teams. In clinical practice, integrating existentially oriented education, psychosocial support mechanisms and spiritual counselling services into nursing care can strengthen nurses' emotional resilience and enhance the overall quality of patient care.

Studies have indicated that trauma exposure is a common factor in posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) and posttraumatic growth (PTG), but it is unclear whether PTSSs and PTG share a common underlying mechanism related to trauma exposure. To explore this issue, this study examined the mediating role of feelings of safety, hope, and coping strategies between trauma exposure and both PTSSs and PTG to elucidate differences in their underlying mechanisms. One year following the Jiuzhaigou earthquake in Sichuan province, China, 620 adolescents were selected to answer self-report questionnaires, and a structural equation model was used to test the hypotheses. Trauma exposure was positively associated with PTSSs by two 1-step indirect paths of feelings of safety and emotion-focused coping strategies, and by two 2-step indirect paths of feelings of safety to both hope and emotion-focused coping strategies. Trauma exposure was positively associated with PTG by a 1-step indirect path of problem-focused coping strategies but negatively associated with PTG by two 2-step indirect paths of feelings of safety to both hope and problem-focused coping strategies, and by one 3-step indirect path of feelings of safety to hope to problem-focused coping strategies. Trauma exposure is common to PTSSs and PTG but affects these differently via feelings of safety, feelings of hope, and coping strategies. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

The present study investigates the mediating roles of psychological inflexibility and differential coping strategies on perceived stress and post-traumatic symptoms and growth in the context of COVID-19. Study one recruited 662 participants (54.8% women; Mage = 40.64 years, SD = 13.04) who completed a cross-sectional questionnaire. It was proposed that orientation to the problem, avoidance strategies, psychological inflexibility, and positive attitude were mediators for the positive association between perceived stress and PTSD symptoms. The fit indices for the path model were excellent: CFI = 0.977, TLI = 0.950, RMSEA = 0.057 [90%CI = 0.043–0.081], and SRMS = 0.042. Gender and stressful events encountered had indirect effects on the endogenous variables. In study two, 128 participants (57.8% women; Mage = 42.30, SD = 12.08) were assessed for post-traumatic growth one year later. Psychological inflexibility and orientation acted as mediators between perceived stress and PTSD symptoms. Furthermore, a novel path model was constructed in which psychological inflexibility and orientation to the problem as mediators for perceived stress and PTSD symptoms. The indices for the path model were excellent: CFI = 0.99, TLI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.055 [90%CI = 0.001–0.144], and SRMS = 0.49. Furthermore, PTSD symptoms, psychological inflexibility, and orientation to the problem predicted post-traumatic growth. Specifically, both orientation to the problem (β = .06 [90%CI: .01;.13]) and psychological inflexibility (β = .14 [90%CI: .08;.26]) had an indirect effect on post-traumatic growth. Overall, these results significantly contribute to the literature as orientation to the problem positively predicted PTSD symptoms and post-traumatic growth one year later while psychological inflexibility predicted PTSD symptoms and less post-traumatic growth one year later. These results underline the importance of assessing both symptomology and psychological growth to determine adaptive coping strategies in specific contexts.

This study aimed to explore, within a phenomenological framework, the effects of menopausal symptoms on women’s sexual lives and coping strategies developed during this period. This qualitative study was conducted between March and July 2025 with 15 literate and married postmenopausal women recruited through snowball sampling. Data were collected via face-to-face, in-depth interviews using a Personal Information Form and a Semi-Structured Interview Form. Content analysis of the interview data identified four main categories, 13 themes, and 20 subthemes. Participant narratives were organized under the following categories: views and experiences regarding menopause, perceptions of sexual life and intimacy, the relationship between menopause and sexual life, and experiences of coping with sexual problems during menopause. The findings revealed that most participants experienced adverse changes in their sexual lives during menopause, including decreased sexual desire and physical discomfort. Women who reported negative experiences predominantly relied on individual coping strategies, such as seeking information independently, modifying behaviors, and adopting psychological acceptance. These findings highlight the importance of developing personalized and holistic healthcare approaches that acknowledge the subjective and multifaceted nature of menopausal experiences and sexual life. Healthcare professionals should consider women’s individual perceptions, needs, and coping mechanisms when providing care during the menopausal transition.

Exploration of posttraumatic growth (PTG) experiences in adolescent survivors of earthquakes, tsunamis, or liquefaction are needed by nurses to maximize the potential for recovery and growth of adolescents from trauma after natural disasters. The study used a qualitative method with a descriptive phenomenology approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 16 adolescent survivors and were analyzed using the Colaizzi method. The results of this study have two main themes: trauma becoming the basis for realizing the meaning of life and escaping from disaster as a second chance to live better. PTG is a positive change that needs to be pursued. Escaping from disaster and realizing the meaning of life are the key points to get success in pursuing PTG to live a better life. In addition, support from mental health nurses through cognitive therapy (CT) and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) are needed to increase the PTG.

Objective: This study was conducted to specify the caregiving experiences of intensive care nurses who provided care to coronavirus (COVID-19) patients. Methods: The experiences of intensive care nurses were quoted with a phenomenological approach. The data were collected from 25 intensive care nurses over Skype using a semi-structured interview form between July 21 and August 31, 2020. In data analysis, Colaizzi's phenomenological method was used. Results: As a result of the coding process, 3 themes were determined as (1) Difficulties: It was revealed that the intensive care nurses experienced physical, psychological and family relations/family environment difficulties; (2) Achievements: The nurses expressed that they had achievements related to professionalization/professional satisfaction, teamwork and the concepts of life and death in the caregiving process; (3) Coping strategies: The participants stated that they used positive coping strategies such as orientation to religion, exercise and music and negative coping strategies such as smoking and alcohol consumption during their period of caregiving for COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: Struggling with a pandemic caused the intensive care nurses to be physically, psychologically and emotionally exhausted. Intensive care nurses should be given coping training on crisis management, and psychological support should be provided to them.

The Sierra Leonean population has faced severe collective traumata (e.g., civil war, Ebola). Although adversities have a devastating impact on people’s lives, there is strong evidence that the struggle with stressful life events can lead to positive changes, which is called posttraumatic growth (PTG). Across many cultures individuals experience PTG. However, the nature of PTG might be influenced by cultural factors. This study aimed to explore PTG in a Sierra Leonean sample using a convergent parallel mixed methods design. The quantitative study investigated the factor structure of the expanded Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X). The qualitative study identified emergent PTG themes. In sum, 360 adults reported on their worst experience and completed the PTGI-X; Additionally, 20 participants took part in in-depth interviews. The original factor structure of the PTGI-X did not apply to this Sierra Leonean sample. A one-factor model including 17 items was supported by confirmatory factor analysis. The qualitative findings revealed PTG dimensions that corresponded to the original ones, which were summarised into the domain “individual growth” (tranquillity and trust, achievement motivation, existential apperception, emphasis on values of life, benevolence). A new domain “collective growth”, which reflected societal changes, was found as well. That means, in addition to a personal positive transformation, a social transformation was revealed. The findings indicated that an individualistic measurement such as the PTGI-X falls short to examine growth dimensions in non-Western cultures. A broader definition of PTG might foster the integration of different cultural and collective elements that emerge in response to stressful events.

BackgroundBereavement by sudden and violent deaths can lead to increased grief severity, depression, and reduced posttraumatic growth compared to those bereaved by natural causes. These outcomes can be affected by coping strategies and whether a survivor had been “prepared” for the death. The present study examined the effect of coping and considering the possibility of death on grief severity, depression, and posttraumatic growth in those bereaved by sudden deaths.MethodsParticipants bereaved by suicide, accident, or combat deaths completed an online survey about demographics (including the cause of death), coping, grief severity, depression, and posttraumatic growth. A factor analysis of the coping measure yielded factors representing three coping strategies: avoidant coping, supportive coping, and active coping. These three strategies, the causes of death and considering the possibility of death were used as predictors of either grief severity, depression, or posttraumatic growth in multivariate linear regression models.ResultsEach coping strategy and cause of death was differentially associated with grief severity, depression, and posttraumatic growth. Specifically, supportive coping and active coping were each only associated with higher posttraumatic growth. In contrast, avoidant coping was associated with all outcomes (higher grief severity and depression and lower posttraumatic growth). In addition, accidents and suicides (compared to combat deaths) had independent effects on grief severity and posttraumatic growth. Considering the possibility of death interacted with avoidant coping and also with supportive coping to predict grief severity in combat-loss survivors.DiscussionFindings highlight the differential contributions of coping strategies and their complex relationships with cause of death in contributing to grief severity, depression, and posttraumatic growth. Avoidant coping contributed to negative outcomes and inhibited posttraumatic growth, suggesting its importance as a target for therapeutic intervention. Although supportive and active coping facilitated posttraumatic growth, they had less of a role in mitigating grief severity or depression in this study. Although considering the possibility of death appeared to mitigate negative outcomes among survivors of combat death, avoidance of that possibility is likely protective for the majority of family members whose loved ones return home safely.

This study aimed to identify predictors of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among Turkish university students with a history of trauma based on the theoretical model. The research focused on three primary predictors, core belief disruption, coping strategies, event centrality, and demographic factors. Additionally, the study explored the relationship between event centrality, PTG, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) within the Turkish cultural context. A total of 462 participants, all of whom had experienced at least one traumatic event, were recruited through online surveys. A Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression were used to test the hypotheses. Core belief disruption about oneself and coping strategies were significant predictors of PTG. Moreover, event centrality was significantly associated with PTG and PTSS, including all PTSS and PTG subdimensions, except for "relating to others." These findings highlight the importance of core beliefs and coping strategies in fostering PTG. Moreover, it underscores the double role of event centrality in the formation of both positive and negative outcomes in the posttraumatic recovery process. The results have implications for future research and clinical practice, suggesting that specific psychological factors such as coping strategies are critical in promoting PTG, and event centrality about the traumatic experience should be considered carefully due to the potential to produce either outcome within the Turkish cultural context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

This study aimed to identify predictors of posttraumatic growth (PTG) among Turkish university students with a history of trauma based on the theoretical model. The research focused on three primary predictors, core belief disruption, coping strategies, event centrality, and demographic factors. Additionally, the study explored the relationship between event centrality, PTG, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) within the Turkish cultural context. A total of 462 participants, all of whom had experienced at least one traumatic event, were recruited through online surveys. A Pearson correlation and hierarchical regression were used to test the hypotheses. Core belief disruption about oneself and coping strategies were significant predictors of PTG. Moreover, event centrality was significantly associated with PTG and PTSS, including all PTSS and PTG subdimensions, except for "relating to others." These findings highlight the importance of core beliefs and coping strategies in fostering PTG. Moreover, it underscores the double role of event centrality in the formation of both positive and negative outcomes in the posttraumatic recovery process. The results have implications for future research and clinical practice, suggesting that specific psychological factors such as coping strategies are critical in promoting PTG, and event centrality about the traumatic experience should be considered carefully due to the potential to produce either outcome within the Turkish cultural context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Despite the indisputable negative psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, positive consequences are also possible. Resilience and coping strategies have been assumed to contribute to these outcomes. However, findings are still scarce and inconclusive. The study aimed to examine the role of resilience and coping strategies in the secondary stress for the Greek healthcare workers (HCWs) and in the posttraumatic growth following the COVID-19 lockdown in Greece. A sample of 673 HCWs coming from Greece were recruited. A convenience and snowball mixed sampling procedure were used. A questionnaire was distributed through social networking sites, webpages, and personal contacts of the author. Participants were asked to distribute it to their own contacts. Recruitment occurred during April 5 - 30, 2000, amid the lockdown (March 23-May 03), when people were asked to follow the stringent lockdown constraint enforced by the Greek government. Sociodemographic data were collected. The Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale measured secondary traumatic stress (STS) for the HCWs. The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Brief Resilience Scale, and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory measured posttraumatic growth, resilience, and coping strategies, respectively. Regression analyses demonstrated that resilience and coping strategies were differentially associated with positive and negative (stress/growth) lockdown outcomes. Resilience and mostly maladaptive coping strategies predicted STS. A mixture of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies predicted PTG. The so-called "second wave" of the outbreak that started in August 2020 indicates that the study of the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown and of the internal resources (resilience and coping) to deal with, is necessary. The findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the coping strategies used by population subgroups (e.g., HCWs) in dealing with the COVID-19 lockdown in Greece. Enhancing internal resources through supportive services will ameliorate HCWs ability to withstand, recover, and thrive with benefits in their psychological health and well-being. Despite the indisputable negative psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, positive consequences are also possible. Resilience and coping strategies have been assumed to contribute to these outcomes. However, findings are still scarce and inconclusive. The study aimed to examine the role of resilience and coping strategies in the secondary stress for the Greek healthcare workers (HCWs) and in the posttraumatic growth following the COVID-19 lockdown in Greece. A sample of 673 HCWs coming from Greece were recruited. A convenience and snowball mixed sampling procedure were used. A questionnaire was distributed through social networking sites, webpages, and personal contacts of the author. Participants were asked to distribute it to their own contacts. Recruitment occurred during April 5 - 30, 2000, amid the lockdown (March 23-May 03), when people were asked to follow the stringent lockdown constraint enforced by the Greek government. Sociodemographic data were collected. The Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale measured secondary traumatic stress (STS) for the HCWs. The Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Brief Resilience Scale, and the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory measured posttraumatic growth, resilience, and coping strategies, respectively. Regression analyses demonstrated that resilience and coping strategies were differentially associated with positive and negative (stress/growth) lockdown outcomes. Resilience and mostly maladaptive coping strategies predicted STS. A mixture of adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies predicted PTG. The so-called "second wave" of the outbreak that started in August 2020 indicates that the study of the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown and of the internal resources (resilience and coping) to deal with, is necessary. The findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the coping strategies used by population subgroups (e.g., HCWs) in dealing with the COVID-19 lockdown in Greece. Enhancing internal resources through supportive services will ameliorate HCWs ability to withstand, recover, and thrive with benefits in their psychological health and well-being.

Phenomenology is a ritual of Qualitative research methodology. Interviews in healthcare enables researchers to recognise and understand data from lived experiences of the participants by using Phenomenological approach. The purpose of this article is to review the various face to face in depth interviews conducted using Husserl’s descriptive, Heidegger’s interpretive phenomenology or Hermeneutic phenomenological approach in healthcare. The in-depth interview will help to understand the health issues and ethical issues faced by participants. Methodology Four articles were selected based on phenomenological approach. Article.1 was based on Hermeneutic Phenomenology approach. In this study thirteen women were taken as sample. Sampling was done by snowball method. The women were asked to share their rural maternity experience. Data was analyzed without any influence of the researcher. Article.2 was based on Transcendental phenomenology. There were 15 students from 4 different cultural background belonging to different health professional programmes like nursing, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and physical therapy. Triangulation methods were used and semi structured interviews were conducted, recorded and transcribed. Health professional students shared their lived experience with patients. Article.3 was based on a study conducted using both Transcendental phenomenology for patients interviews and Hermeneutic phenomenology for healthcare professionals’ interviews. The semi structured interview of patient was taken to understand and record their lived experience with the medication without any bias or interpretation and data received was bracketed. The healthcare professionals’ interviews were conducted on Hermeneutic strategy regarding the medications they prescribe for life threatening illnesses. Article 4 was based on Hermeneutic phenomenological approach. There were nine patients selected and in depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. The patients shared their experience of living with a life limiting illness.

The rising incidence of cancer has led to an increased number of adult children impacted by parental cancer. Previous research primarily focused on younger individuals, leaving a gap in understanding the experiences of adult children aged 20-35. To examine a model that integrates the interrelationships among the disease's characteristics (i.e., disease stage), illness representations, coping strategies, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in young adults with parents diagnosed with cancer. In addition, we examined indirect relationships involving illness representations as independent variables, coping strategies as mediators, and PTG as the outcome variable. The rising incidence of cancer has led to an increased number of adult children impacted by parental cancer. Previous research primarily focused on younger individuals, leaving a gap in understanding the experiences of adult children aged 20-35. This study examines a model that integrates the interrelationships among the disease's characteristics (i.e., disease stage), illness representations, coping strategies, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in young adults with parents diagnosed with cancer. In addition, we examined indirect relationships involving illness representations as independent variables, coping strategies as mediators, and PTG as the outcome variable. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 109 adult children (ages 20-35) of cancer patients. Data were collected using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and the COPE questionnaire. Path analysis was performed to test the study's hypotheses. The findings revealed that illness representations and coping strategies accounted for significant variance in PTG. Higher perceived severity of the parent's illness was associated with greater use of problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies, which were linked to higher PTG. Lower perceived control over the illness was associated with less use of problem-focused coping and subsequently lower PTG. This study underscores the importance of subjective perceptions and coping strategies in fostering PTG among young adults with parents diagnosed with cancer. The findings highlight the need for tailored psychosocial interventions to enhance adaptive illness representations and effective coping strategies, promoting resilience and growth in this unique demographic.