The specter of collective trauma looms large over our world, as disasters, conflicts, and societal upheavals occur with alarming regularity. The psychological wounds inflicted by collective trauma can be deep and enduring, leaving individuals and communities grappling with the aftermath for years to come.
This presentation (for Apa Covid Taskforce 2021) explores the role of action in promoting resilience and growth following collective trauma, drawing on the experience with survivors, families and communities. The MOVING model, grounded in attachment theory, provides a framework for cultivating "islands of security" – safe spaces that nurture growth and connection.
Islands of Security
The concept of "islands of security" was introduced by Shaver and Mikulincer (2021) to describe temporary refuges from anxiety and uncertainty, based on extensive empirical evidence regarding the benefits of security priming. Such "islands" can be found in relationships, environments, and experiences that foster psychological safety. Even those with insecure attachment styles can experience islands of security through interventions that promote hope and connection.
Knowing that people hold us "mind in mind" builds trust and adds to the reservoir of positive beliefs about distress management, others and oneself.
The experience of being feeling safely held in the hearts and minds of others is key to building resilience, “bouncing forward" as well as bouncing back, in face of adversity. Previous research has highlighted various ways in which a felt sense of security can be promoted (Reviewed in Shaver & Mikulincer, 2021).
The Role of Action in Promoting Mental Health following Collective Trauma
- Relief in action : Providing a sense of control and mastery, reducing avoidance behaviors and fostering a sense of purpose and meaning.
- Action contributes to emotional processing:: Facilitating emotional expression and regulation, witnessing and narrative reconstruction (Saul, 2013).
- Fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness: Bringing individuals together, collective action can also contribute to the identification of the individual, family and community current internal and external resources both in the present and in the past and help with removal of barriers to those resources;.
Nature as a Resource
Resilience can also be promoted through nature–based practices, such as spending time in nature and engaging in outdoor activities together with others. Such activities can help to reduce stress, promote physical health, and foster a sense of connectedness to the natural world (Pardess, 2019).
Harnessing the transformative power of metaphors from nature is an additional part of the support programs informed by the MOVING model. Such metaphors can reduce feelings of alienation and isolation, as they remind us that we are part of a larger, interconnected web of life.
For example, a metaphor of a tree growing through a storm can remind participants of the latent constructive forces that enable us to grow and flourish even in the midst of chaos. In Hurricanes, research has showed, for example, that trees growing in groups with intertwined roots survived the winds better than individual trees. Such metaphors may inspire us to see our struggles in a new perspective.
The Core of MOVING
The model consists of interrelated steps:
- Mindfulness: Cultivating awareness of one's thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment.
- Openness: Embracing a willingness to explore and accept new experiences.
- Vulnerability: Finding the courage to confront difficult emotions and take risks in fostering genuine connections with others.
- Inclusion: Acknowledging, respecting, and celebrating diversity.
- Nurturance: Providing care and compassion to oneself and others.
- Group connectedness- Cultivating a sense of belonging through collective action
The Hebrew term for the MOVING model is "Magen" which translates to "shield". The programs are designed to provide a protective shield for individuals and communities facing collective trauma. In addition to the workshops for survivors and families, the Moving Model programs include workshops for mental health professionals to address ongoing issues they encounter in their daily practice and to help them put clinical work within a community context.
Turbulent waters but we are not in the same boat
The shared experience of therapists and the clients can deepen the sense of connectedness but may also blur the lines and differences. The tendency for polarization in face of collective traumatic reality may render it more difficult to see multiple perspectives. It is therefore important to acknowledge differences and that we may all be in very turbulent waters but we are not in the same boat.
Collective trauma can lead to a sense of shared pain, but it's important to avoid overlooking the individual nuances and complexities of each person's experience.
Being "in different boats" was indeed relevant to the challenges of COVID-19 capturing the unequal impacts of the pandemic on different individuals and communities. Some people were fortunate enough to weather the storm in spacious homes with ample resources, while others were struggling in cramped apartments with limited supplies.
Pre-existing vulnerabilities, such as job insecurity or health conditions, exacerbated the challenges faced by individuals during the pandemic. For example, those who lost their jobs or were unable to work from home faced a financial storm that was far more severe than those who could continue their livelihoods remotely.
The metaphor of "being in different boats" is equally applicable to the challenges faced during wartime,.Those forced to flee their homes face a storm of uncertainty and hardship that is far different from the challenges of those who are able to remain in their homes, even under constant threat. Some are adrift in a storm on a lifeboat, while others are clinging to a single piece of wreckage.
By recognizing the diverse experiences and challenges faced by individuals during wartime and taking steps to address these disparities, we can work towards a more just and compassionate response to the needs of all affected populations
References
Pardess, E. (2019). Promoting caregiver satisfaction and regeneration
Pardess, E., Mikulincer, M., Dekel, R & Shaver, P. (2014). Dispositional attachme
Shaver, P. R., & Mikulincer, M. (2021). Defining attachment relationships and attachment security from a personality–social perspective on adult attachment. In R. A. Thompson, J. A. Simpson, & L. J. Berlin (Eds.), Attachment: The fundamental questions (pp. 39–45). The Guilford Press.
References related to COVID challenges
Bergen, H., et al. (2020). Well-being and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review.” BMC Public Health, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 1-12.
Ewing, P., et al. (2020). Psychological resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A review of the evidence and recommendations for practice. Mental Health Review Journal, vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 103-116.
Wang, Y., et al. (2020). Psychosocial interventions and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 11, pp. 1-15.
White, C., et al. (2020). Supporting mental health resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 217, pp. 95-97.
Zhang, H., et al. (2020). Covid-19: A review of psychological resilience and psychological support programs. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 17, no. 8, pp. 2859.
References related to the role of action in promoting resilience in face of collective trauma-
Ajduković, D. (2013). Introducing the notion of social context of collective trauma to ESTSS. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 4Participatory and action research as a transformative praxis: Responding to humanitarian crises from the margins
Lykes, M. B. (2013). . American Psychologist, 68(8), 774–783.
Ortega-Williams, A., Wernick, L. J., DeBower, J., & Brathwaite, B. (2020). Finding relief in action: The intersection of youth-led community organizing and mental health in Brooklyn, New York City. Youth & Society, 52(4), 618–638.
Parham, W. D. (2011). A call to action: Responding to large-scale disasters, catastrophes, and traumas. The Counseling Psychologist, 39(8), 1193–1202.
Ullman, C. (2014). Introduction to panel: Dissociation, enactment and collective trauma: The role of psychoanalysis. Psychoanalytic Dialogues, 24(4), 441–443.
Weingarten, K., Galván‐Durán, A. R., D'Urso, S., & Garcia, D. (2020). The witness to witness program: – Helping the helpers in the context of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Family Process, 59(3), 883–897
Resources related to nature as a resource in supporting health care workers can be found in the following link.
Handouts from THE MOVING MODEL programs, toolkits, resources and scholarly articles are avaiable upon request
