ETHNOPSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF RETRAUMATIZATION

The study of the psychological states that develop from chronic psychological-traumatic situations around the world is one of the main challenges in psychological science.In light of the Nagorno-Karabakh wars, the forced displacement of ethnic Armenians, and severe, recurring traumatic events, we view re-traumatization among ethnic populations to be a highly important subject of study.The focus of this study is individual re-traumatization.The aim is to examine the ethnopsychological characteristics of the relationship between PTSD-which develops as a result of re-traumatization-and coping strategies.To achieve this aim, we used observation and clinical interview methods, along with the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related PTSD (M-PTSD) and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) by Folkman and Lazarus (1988).The study involved 30 Armenian combatants aged between 55 and 75 (n = 30), who participated in the Nagorno-Karabakh wars (1991-1994, 2016, 2020).This group includes individuals who experienced an earthquake, underwent forced displacement, and are generations of those affected by genocide; they continue to serve in combat duty under conditions of ongoing re-traumatization.The study revealed relationships among the factors obtained from the methodologies.According to the analysis of the M-PTSD data, among the participants (n = 30), 13 are well-adjusted (n = 13, Max = 86, Min = 65), approximately 15 have adaptation disturbances (PSYCH) (n = 15, Max = 108, Min = 91), and 2 of the combatants have PTSD (n = 2, Max = 134, Min = 133).According to the data obtained from the WCQ methodology, the following average scores were observed: Confrontive coping (avg = 10.7),Distancing (avg = 11.3),Self-controlling (avg = 13), Seeking social support (avg = 11.6),Accepting responsibility (avg = 7.03), Escape-Avoidance (avg = 10.7),Planful problem-solving (avg = 12.2), Positive reappraisal (avg = 13.06).There are positive and significant correlations between PTSD and Confrontive coping (r = 0.38, p < 0.01), PTSD and Distancing (r = 0.37, p < 0.01), PTSD and Self-controlling (r = 0.6, p > 0.001), PTSD and Accepting responsibility (r = 0.33, p < 0.05), PTSD and Escape-Avoidance (r = 0.31, p < 0.05), PTSD and Planful problem-solving (r = 0.45, p < 0.01), as well as PTSD and Positive reappraisal (r = 0.41, p < 0.01).Negative correlational relationships were found between being well-adjusted and Self-controlling (r = -0.32,p < 0.05), well-adjusted and Planful problem-solving (r = -0.39,p < 0.01), and well-adjusted and Positive reappraisal (r = -0.405,p < 0.01).During clinical interviews, it became clear that many participants had frequently experienced anxiety about the recurrence of traumatic events such as war, deportation, genocide, and earthquakes.They also reported sleep disorder, flashbacks, grief over the loss of comrades and family, feelings of guilt, and difficulties with attention, memory, and eating.In addition, many participants experienced physical symptoms such as asthma, allergies, heart arrhythmias, skin issues, gastrointestinal and reproductive problems, cardiovascular weakness, nervous system issues, and severe headaches.Traumatization is based on ethno-cultural and national socio-psychological factors, while re-traumatization has its roots in transgenerational and collective unconscious influences.As a result of re-traumatization, only a few individuals develop PTSD; instead, most people use coping strategies and generally adapt well despite repeated traumas.