The phoenix within : investigating the coping strategies employed by former Arab political prisoners experiencing post-traumatic growth

Abstract

This qualitative study investigates the coping strategies utilized by former Arab political prisoners experiencing posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the aftermath of their suffering.Following the Transactional Model of Coping, holistic exploration of coping strategies was undertaken through in-depth semi-structured interviews to investigate the coping strategies employed by former Arab political prisoners during two critical phases of their experience, during political imprisonment and post-release. Thematic analysis revealed three primary coping themes during each phase: emotion-focused coping, meaning-focused coping, and problem-focused coping, with various sub-themes emerging within each of them. During political imprisonment, emotion-focused coping strategies included reading, positive selftalk, physical exercise, humor, religion, and spirituality, accepting responsibility, imaginative escaping, providing interpersonal support, forming support networks, and maintaining external social connections. Meaning-focused coping, on the other hand, involved the search for meaning and understanding in the context of political imprisonment. In contrast, problemfocused coping encompassed political activism, resistance, and problem-solving approaches. Alternatively, in the post-release phase, emotion-focused coping strategies included positive self-talk, writing, and social coping strategies along with meaning-focused coping, which involved searching for significance, finding purposes, seeking answers to existential questions, and trying to understand their experience. While problem-focused coping throughout this phase encompassed advocacy and activism, identity reclamation, and professional and educational pursuits. These findings exhibit the fluid and adaptive nature of coping strategies since they transcended their traditional categorizations, demonstrating the interconnectedness and interaction of different coping strategies. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of coping, and growth in the context of political imprisonment and underscores the need for tailored interventions that recognize the complexity of coping strategies in such adversity.