Earthquake in Haiti: Relationship with the Sacred in Times of Trauma

Abstract

The devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010 killed over 230,000 people and injured many more. One year later, 1.2 million people were still living in tents. Haiti is only one of many places around the globe that have been struck by community-wide disaster in recent years, including the United States' own devastating tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Although several studies have demonstrated strong links between spirituality and resilience, the field is only just beginning to break ground on the role of spirituality in large-scale disaster situations (Koenig, 2006). In this article we briefly review the literature on spirituality and trauma, followed by a description of the current study within a relational framework. The study aimed to investigate the impact of the Haitian people's relationship with the divine on their psycho-spiritual transformation following the earthquake. Results are considered from a cross-cultural perspective. Growth Following Trauma A growing body of research suggests that many traumatic life events, including natural disasters, precipitate positive psychological changes, such as a broadened view of life, an increased sense of meaning and purpose for existence, and an increase in spirituality (Sigmund, 2003). Posttraumatic growth occurs when individuals are faced with a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, and consequently positive psychological effects take place (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996). Although traumatic life events may produce precarious health outcomes for some individuals and devastating consequences for communities, research indicates that posttraumatic growth is possible when appropriate factors are in place (Richards, Smith, Berrett, O'Grady, & Bartz, 2009; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 2004). The extent to which trauma develops into posttraumatic growth or decline is in part mediated by the meaning an individual assigns to the stressful life event (Cole, Hopkins, Tisak, Steel, & Carr, 2008; Feder et al., 2008). According to cognitive adaption theory, positive reinterpretation of a traumatic event serves an adaptive role for experiencing stress-related growth (Karanci & Erkam, 2007; Taylor, Collins, Skokan, & Aspinwall,1989). individuals are able to create positive meaning out of tragedy, they are often able to activate critical recovery attributes such as a sense of self-efficacy and a sense of purpose in life. The study of posttraumatic growth is not only the consideration of factors that contribute to growth following trauma, but it is also the examination of the nature of growth outcomes. Previous research has, for instance, reported positive correlations between the experience of trauma and improved social relationships, positive changes in beliefs, renewed faith, cohesiveness in the community, identification of new possibilities, newfound talents and strengths, changes in self-image, and transformed comprehension of way of life (Affleck & Tennen, 1996; Linley & Joseph, 2004; Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996, 2004). Many individuals who have felt stuck in their lives or who have been unwilling to make important life transitions feel an increased desire and strength to do so following a traumatic life event. From this understanding, community disaster may be the impetus towards a psychologically healthier and more satisfying lifestyle for some people. Trauma impacts most people, not only physically, socially, and psychologically, but also spiritually. For those who are engaged in a spiritual life, trauma that threatens this aspect of their experience can generate a great deal of internal distress. When issues of the soul may be at stake many are driven to reconsider their belief systems including their views about God or a higher power (Pargament, Murray-Swank, Magyar, & Ano, 2005, p. 247). As individuals reevaluate their beliefs and values, they are likely to undergo a form of spiritual transformation. …