The Many faces of Trauma and Recovery around the world: Mapping experiences in Cultural Context (MaTRix)

​Preliminary project summary​

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Background

Cultural and contextual factors both play an important role in shaping individuals’ beliefs, values, and attitudes towards potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Many cultures also hold specific beliefs surrounding the associations between PTEs and (mental) health outcomes and approaches to healing. Despite these cultural and contextual specificities, conceptualizations of trauma and associated approaches to interpreting and treating trauma sequelae, predominantly originate from Western, biomedical models, with few evidence-based treatment options available in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Understanding cross-cultural variations and contextual nuances is central to informing the development and implementation of efficacious and contextually-appropriate psychological assessments and interventions grounded in culturally-informed healing practices. 

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Aims

The aim of this project is therefore two-fold.

First, using both an emic and etic approach, the project seeks to understand the types of events that are construed and appraised as traumatic across cultures and how the trauma sequelae, including post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology, manifests across contexts.

Second, the study aims to investigate culturally-specific approaches to healing.

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Methods

The project is currently organized into four Work Packages (WPs) which will be implemented over the next three years. 

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WPs and WP leadership roles:

• WP 1.1. A systematic / scoping review(s),

Adults: Bruno Coimbra & Ateka Contractor

Children/adolescents: Nancy Kassam-Adams & Sarah Halligan

• WP 1.2. Multi-country in-depth qualitative interviews

Stefanie Freel & Chris Hoeboer

• WP 2.1 A consensus building process through Global Expert Focus Groups 

Kate Ellis & Sarah Halligan

• WP 3.1 A multi-country surveyWP 3.1 Multi country survey

Soraya Seedat & Maria Bragesjö​​

• WP 3.2. Ethnographic research 

vacancy

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Status 

Preparation phase, collaborators are welcome (CAW) from LMICs, the global south or other underpresented areas especially.

Please contact Stéfanie Fréel for further information.