“And the Ones that Survived had Hope”: Resilience in Holocaust Survivors

Melissa L. Morgan, Veronica Franco, Erick Felix, Nicole M. Ramirez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The current study uses a strengths-based lens to explore the resilience narratives of five Holocaust survivors and their perspectives on experiences of resilience during and after the Holocaust. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), transcripts of one to one-and-a-half hour interviews were analyzed by a team of three researchers. Overarching emergent themes of meaning included: Definition of Resilience, Adversities, Attitude After Overcoming Adversity, Method of Resilience, Adhering to Cultural Values, and Beliefs About Others’ Experience of Resilience. Subthemes and tertiary categories also evolved and are discussed. Findings are interpreted with the acknowledgement of systemic oppression and overcoming, including participants’ development of critical consciousness (Freire, 1975/2000), both relevant to the interpretation of recovery from human-created oppression through a social justice lens. Implications for current societal circumstances and issues are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)111-126
Number of pages16
JournalJournal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Holocaust
  • phenomenological
  • qualitative
  • resilience
  • survivors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Education
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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