The Impact of Current Political Violence and Past Personal Trauma Among Myanmar Civilian Survivors and Refugees of War

ABSTRACT This study examined the experiences, trauma responses, and recovery pathways of Myanmar survivors of war and refugees. Based on a survey of 35 case reports and in‐depth analysis of 15, we describe: (a) the psychosocial experiences of the Myanmar survivors, (b) specific political traumas experienced by this population as a result of the February 2021 coup, (c) the potential relationship between past traumatic experiences and current trauma response, and (d) counseling engagement dynamics with Myanmar survivors considering how mental health is constructed, understood, and accessed in the Myanmar culture. The findings suggest this group of survivors finds meaning and purpose in their political traumas and are challenged to integrate their newly triggered past personal traumas into their personal narratives. This project illustrates the need to advocate for grants to study and provide services that do not compartmentalize political trauma from other sources and consequences of trauma, especially in severely underserved communities.