Abstract
The development-based trauma framework (DBTF) proposed a comprehensive taxonomy of stressors and traumas based on the salience of existence and identity development. The goal of this research is to check the validity of some of the DBTF parameters, specifically the trauma types severity (Types I, II, and III), and the six major trauma types (attachment, personal identity, collective identity, role identity, survival and secondary traumas) differential impact and proliferation. We used a sample from 11 Arab countries (N = 2732), age ranged from 18 - 91, mean = 26.9, and SD = 10.01, with 69.3% females. We used measures for cumulative stressors and traumas, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and executive functions. We conducted correlation and path analysis. Correlation explored the differential sizes of association between types I, II, III traumas and mental health and executive function deficits. Path analysis explored the proliferation of and paths between the six major types of trauma and their impact on mental health and cognitive functions. Results indicated that the size of associations of type III trauma and mental health and executive function variable were significantly larger than type II trauma and the same for the difference in the associations between type II and type I, which validate the differential intensity impact of trauma types. Results indicated that attachment traumas have the highest impact on other traumas, followed by early childhood adversities (personal identity trauma) and collective identity traumas, with differential impact on mental health and executive functions. The conceptual, trauma measurement and clinical implications of results were discussed.
Highlights
The development-based trauma framework (DBTF) that is behind a taxonomy of traumas proposed in the literature (Kira, 2001, 2021; Kira et al, 2008a, 2013a, 2013b, 2014a) redefine traumas as events, sequence of events, or conditions that pose an existential threat to one’s physical, personal and social identities
Results indicated that the size of associations of type III trauma and mental health and executive function variable were significantly larger than type II trauma and the same for the difference in the associations between type II and type I, which validate the differential intensity impact of trauma types
Results indicated that attachment traumas have the highest impact on other traumas, followed by early childhood adversities and collective identity traumas, with differential impact on mental health and executive functions
Summary
The development-based trauma framework (DBTF) that is behind a taxonomy of traumas proposed in the literature (Kira, 2001, 2021; Kira et al, 2008a, 2013a, 2013b, 2014a) redefine traumas as events, sequence of events, or conditions that pose an existential threat to one’s physical, personal and social identities. Persons maintain personal autonomy and executive self (Personal identity) and sometimes commit suicide (executing their physical self) if this personal identity is severely violated, which may cause intolerable psychological pain (Joiner, 2005; Shneidman, 1993) They identify and internalize their group of belonging to the extent that they are ready to die and sacrifice their physical identity for it (e.g., Ashmore et al, 2004; Kira, 2019; Kira et al, 2020b, 2011, 2017; Stryker & Serpe, 1994). In real life and real-time, we cannot separate traumatic (acute stressors) from chronic and other non-acute stressors that interact and have a cumulative and global impact on physical, mental, and cognitive functioning
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