A Narrative Model of Recovery

Abstract

In this paper I defend the suggestion that narratively understanding her experience of rape can help a survivor in her recovery from the harm that she has suffered. Susan Brison defends a similar suggestion, but, I argue, does not get all of the possible mileage out of narrative understanding because she does not explore what she takes to be the necessary features of a successful narrative itself. I hope to supplement her, primarily relational, account with a richer understanding of narratives themselves, as it is only, I argue, through coming to understand the essential characteristics of a narrative that we are able to grasp the particular explanatory force of narratives and, thereby, all of the potential benefits of narratively understanding her experience for a rape survivor.

Life after trafficking

“…Several studies have focused on aspects of the recovery process that are mainly related to the micro dimensions of recovery and the factors influencing it, primarily, although not solely investigating the individual, psychological aspects of the process (Bownes et al, 1991;Burgess & Homstrom, 1978;Burt & Katz, 1988;Frazier, 2000;Frazier & Burnett, 1994;Frazier & Schauben, 1994;Hill & Zautra, 1989;Kelland, 2012;Littleton & Breitkopf, 2006;Regehr et al, 1999;Resick, 1993;Roth et al 1990;Rothbaum et al 1992;Smith & Kelly, 2001;Ullman, 1997). Bownes et al (1991) investigate the incidence of post-traumatic stress disorder in rape victims in the long-term, finding that there is a 70% prevalence.…”

“…Hill & Zautra (1989) conduct a study of two types of self-blame, characterological and behavioral, and find that they have different effects on adjustment, as they imply different perceptions of control over future aversive events. Kelland (2012) finds that when persons raped express and understand their experience narratively, it can help the recovery process. Littleton & Breitkopf (2006) study raped university women in the US and find that women who blamed themselves, were vulnerable to reliance on maladaptive avoidance coping and that victims who held negative beliefs about their own worth reported more reliance on avoidance coping.…”

“…8 For literature on reintegration of migrants refer to: Cassarino, 2010; Constant & Massey, 2002; Dustmann, 1997; Dustmann, 2003; Dustmann & Weiss, 2007; King, 2002; Vlase, 2013; Zhang 2013; Diatta & Mbow, 1999; Ilahi, 1999; Merkle & Zimmermann, 1992; McCormick & Wahba, 2003; Rooth & Saarela, 2007; for literature on reintegration of refugees and forced migrants refer to: Chimni, 2002; Özerdem & Sofizada, 2006; Abbasi-Shavazi & Glazebrook, 2009; Farwell, 2001; Haider, 2009; Zimmermann, 2012; Bascom, 2005; Kibreab, 2002; Cahn, 2006; Gillespie Karl, Peltzer, Malcolm Ma, 2000; Steflja, 2012; Black, 2002; Al-Ali, Black, & Koser, 2001; Black, Koser, Munk, Atfield, D'Onfrio & Tiemoko, 2004; Arb, 2001; Koser, 2001; for literature on reintegration of ex-combatants and child soldiers refer to: Watteville, 2001; Annan et al 2011; Dzinesa, 2007; Veale 2011; Muggah 2007; Brooks 2012; Derluyn et al, 2004; Kohrt, Jordans, 2008; MacMullin and Loughry, 2004; Shepler 2005; Betancourt et. al., 2010; Boothby et al, 2006; Leff, 2008; Stark et al, 2009; Stovel, 2008; Williamson, 2006; Betancourt et al January 2010; Humphreys and Weinstein, 2007; Knight and Ozerdem, 2004; Paes, 2005; Peters, 2007; Zack-Williams, 2006; Boas and Hatloy, 2008; Wessels, 2004; Specht and Attree, 2006; for additional literature on reintegration of persons raped refer to: Bownes et al, 1991; Burgess and Homstrom, 1978;Burt and Katz, 1988; Frazier, 2000;Frazier and Burnett, 1994;Frazier and Schauben, 1994;Hill and Zautra, 1989;Kelland, 2012;Littleton and Breitkopf, 2006;Regehr et al, 1999;Resick, 1993;Roth et al 1990;Rothbaum et al 1992;Ullman, 1997; Braithwaite, 2006; Campbell and Ahrens, 1998; Kinyeki, 2013; Ptacek, 2009; Ullman, This research is based on qualitative interviews conducted in Albania, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Serbia, the Netherlands, and Italy, from 2013 to 2015. A total of 52 semi-structured interviews were conducted, lasting from 20 minutes to 2 hours.…”