Disorganizing Experiences in Second- and Third-Generation Holocaust Survivors

Datos Bibliográficos

ID4680228
AutoresMiri Scharf (0000-0002-1821-9639, University of Haifa), Ofra Maysele (0000-0001-5012-6400, University of Haifa)
Año2011
Volumen21
Número11
Páginas1539-1553
Fecha de publicación2011-11-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1049732310393747
PMID21189333
OpenAlexW2143924171
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas26
Referencias citadas52

Second-generation Holocaust survivors might not show direct symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder or attachment disorganization, but are at risk for developing high levels of psychological distress. We present themes of difficult experiences of second-generation Holocaust survivors, arguing that some of these aversive experiences might have disorganizing qualities even though they do not qualify as traumatic. Based on in-depth interviews with 196 second-generation parents and their adolescent children, three themes of disorganizing experiences carried across generations were identified: focus on survival issues, lack of emotional resources, and coercion to please the parents and satisfy their needs. These themes reflect the frustration of three basic needs: competence, relatedness, and autonomy, and this frustration becomes disorganizing when it involves stability, potency, incomprehensibility, and helplessness. The findings shed light on the effect of trauma over the generations and, as such, equip therapists with a greater understanding of the mechanisms involved

Autonomy · Developmental psychology · Distress · Political science · Psychotherapist · The Holocaust · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Family Support in Illness · Identity, Memory, and Therapy · Psychology · Social Psychology