The impact of trauma in family activity systems

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Title The impact of trauma in family activity systems
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Humanities
Department Communication
Author Kesler, Virginia Irene
Date 2012-08
Description This project uses structurating activity theory to understand the effect of traumatic experiences on family activity systems. Fourteen adults participated who had experienced an identifiable, acute traumatic event that resulted in a disruption to their family system. Interview data demonstrated ways that participants shaped trauma experiences and how trauma experiences shaped ongoing family activity. Results indicated that definitions of family are shaped by trauma experiences, that contradictions arise on a system and structural level during trauma, and families communicatively struggle to cope with trauma. Theoretical implications are offered on how mediating elements both enable and constrain how families cope during and after traumatic events on both the system and structural level. Finally, practical applications are recommended for professionals and families struggling through traumatic events, as well as future research directions.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Coping; Crisis; Family crisis; Family trauma; Structurating activity theory; Trauma
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name Master of Science
Language eng
Rights Management Copyright © Virginia Irene Kesler 2012
Format application/pdf
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 759,637 Bytes
Identifier etd3/id/3415
ARK ark:/87278/s6vx3qsq
Setname ir_etd
ID 196979
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6vx3qsq
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