From Deprivation to Capital - Spirituality and Spiritual Yearning as Recovery Capital from PTSD

Abstract

Trauma and its consequences, such as PTSD, have been thoroughly researched in recent years. Spirituality, religious and non-religious alike, has been used for a variety of purposes by humanity, including recovery from trauma and its consequences. However, spirituality’s role in maintaining the recovery of people with PTSD has not yet been sufficiently researched. This qualitative study attempts to fill the gap through interviews with 50 individuals from different backgrounds who recovered from PTSD and who attributed their recovery to spirituality; however, each of them went through their own traumas, had different piety levels, and used different recovery methods. The results show that spirituality can serve as recovery capital for those dealing with trauma and PTSD: the transition between spiritual deprivation and active spiritual yearning initiates a process of recovery and the acquisition of ‘spiritual recovery capital.’ Spiritual recovery capital has unique characteristics, accumulates as recovery progresses, and was even found among those who did not see themselves as spiritual before their trauma(s) and PTSD diagnosis. The research shows that spirituality can be useful for trauma survivors and therapists at all stages of recovery and can also promote maintaining recovery.

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