Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Rupp, Marlena

Titel

A historical exploration of the concept of psychological trauma, 1866–2004

Ort / Verlag

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses

Erscheinungsjahr

2004

Link zum Volltext

• ProQuest

Quelle

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• The purpose of this study is to explore and discuss some of the historical forces that shaped the concept of psychological trauma in the United States during the period 1866–2004. The study examines some of the contexts—social, medical, military, cultural, and political—that influenced the development of the concept of trauma. The study also explores and discusses how the concept of trauma has historically been redefined and refrained at different times during the period studied. In examining the paths that were taken in forming this concept, the study also looks at what influences were absent and what theoretical and research directions were not taken in this process. The study recommends a multidisciplinary approach to the conceptualization of trauma because (a) trauma operates at many different levels of human experience, and strictly psychological, medical, and diagnostic conceptualization narrow our understanding of the various meanings and manifestations of trauma, and (b) a multidisciplinary approach could shift psychologists toward a more contextualizing and reflexive stance toward our use of the concept of trauma.