RESUMO
In this qualitative study we explore the concept of ideological meaning-making, with a focus on political radicalization and its relation to the process of meaning-making. Through interviews with 33 individuals who experienced the loss of a close family member in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and subsequently became politically radicalized, four key themes emerged: preliminary decision, zoom out, mission, and radicalized self. Participants initially stabilize their beliefs through a preliminary ideological decision, followed by adopting a broader perspective (zoom out) that encompasses the political context. As the process unfolds, a deep commitment to an ideological cause (mission) emerges, leading to the integration of ideology with self-identity (radicalized self). This study contributes to constructivist theory by providing a nuanced understanding of how ideological radicalization intertwines with the process of meaning-making, offering valuable insights into the complex interplay between individual beliefs, self-identity, and the construction of meaning.
RESUMO
Having reached the last phase of their lives, many Holocaust survivors (HS) experience an increase in vulnerability. Despite their remarkable ability to adapt, the process of aging presents them with new challenges, often leading to an increased need for therapy. This is made all the more difficult by the fact that there is little research on trauma therapy in old age. To date, no randomized controlled study has been carried out to examine the effectiveness of psychotherapy in HS. The present case studies report the implementation of life review therapy (LRT-HS) undertaken with two female HS with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The mixed-methods approach sheds light to their individual therapy courses and potential mechanisms of change. Both therapies took place in the context of a randomized controlled study evaluating the efficacy of LRT-HS. This integrative, narrative therapy approach answers the natural need of elderly people to look back on their lives. Patients received about 20 sessions of LRT-HS, including a structured life review, narrative exposure, as well as cognitive and behavioral elements. Patient 1 showed reliable to clinically significant improvements on several quantitative symptom levels and with consistent qualitative findings (e.g., semistructured therapist interview). Symptoms of Patient 2 remained mostly unchanged, while life satisfaction and posttraumatic growth reliably improved and qualitative measures pointed to a reduction of suffering. The studies illustrate that reminiscence can be used in adaptive ways even after the experience of massive traumatization. The coexistence of resilience and vulnerability, complex individual symptom profiles, and influencing factors are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
