IN THE GRIP OF DARK HERITAGE: SURVIVING PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA An ethnographic study on childre

NINIK SUPARTINI,

2007 | Tesis |

The purpose of this study is to describe the psychological trauma, pathways of coping, and outcomes of the children of the 1965 political prisoners living in Yogyakarta and Klaten, Central Java, Indonesia. The study was conducted from 2002 – 2006. Thirty-three subjects aged 11-77 years were recruited using snowball sampling technique. The data were obtained using life history, semi-structured ethnographic interviews focusing on the traumatic experiences, responses, symptoms, preexisting conditions, social support, coping strategies, present functioning, and hope for the future. The triangulation method of data was applied. The study found that trauma undergone by children of 1965 political prisoners encompassed physiological, psychological, social, economical, political, as well as spiritual aspects of their life with stigma served as one of the biggest stressors experienced by most subjects. The trauma was chronic, personal and inter generational. Their coping was determined by mediating factors involving pre-existing conditions, family support, cultural/familial values, self-schematization, engagement in constructive activities, outlook/acceptance of what happened, and hope. Their coping was an on-going, cyclic process where all aspects of their life and experience played significant roles. Sublimation was regarded a powerful tool for short to medium period of coping, yet, acceptance, forgiveness, and letting go were believed to have promoted healthier outcomes. Search in meanings of what happened was also regarded as contributory to recovery. Key Words: ethnographic, psychological trauma, mediating factors, coping, outcomes.

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