Understanding Asian cultural influences on complex trauma experience and healing: a qualitative exploration of workers' perspectives in Singapore

• Main Author: Nurin Asyura Binte Rosle
• Other Authors: Paul Victor Patinadan
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Arts and Humanities; Social Sciences; Complex trauma; Child abuse; Asian cultural values; Barriers; Facilitators; Healing; Workers; Cultural conversations; Singapore
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/177800
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Background: Complex Trauma is widely understood in Western contexts, but little is known about its manifestations in Asian contexts, where beliefs about family dynamics and parent-child relationships differ. Hence, the present qualitative study aimed to explore workers' perspectives on (1) how Asian cultural values influence their clients’ experiences and healing processes and (2) how cultural conversations can incorporated into their work. Methods: Using a constructivist paradigm, qualitative data were extracted from semi-structured interviews. The sample comprises four workers between the ages of 26 and 34, with an average of 2.5 years of working experience serving families with complex trauma through case management and counselling. Findings: Reflexive thematic analysis was performed, and a total of five themes and fifteen subthemes emerged. Workers identified (1) cultural barriers and (2) cultural facilitators to healing that illuminated how Asian cultural values shape complex trauma. On the incorporation of culture into their work, workers described having (3) limited cultural conversations and discussed the (4) benefits of cultural conversations and (5) challenges of cultural conversations. Discussion: Findings suggest that Asian cultural values do shape clients’ appraisals and responses to their complex trauma experiences. Some Asian cultural factors that can facilitate healing were identified but most significantly interfere with clients’ healing from complex trauma. Moreover, while workers acknowledge the importance of talking about culture with their clients, they expressed concerns and cited several challenges of discussing culture. Recommendations for workers on developing approaches adapted to the specific needs of Asian clients with complex trauma are discussed.