An Exploratory Phenomenological Study of Post Trauma Adjustment of the Surviving Students of the 16th December, 2014 Army Public School Peshawar Attack

Abstract

The city of Peshawar has been the worst victim of terrorism in Pakistan in the past decade, with every successive attack, the brutality increased in intensity. Every time Peshawar is hit, the question of post trauma adjustment of its people is raised, but so far little scientific research is found on the trauma adjustment on the people in this region. The present qualitative study is an exploratory phenomenological study, conducted to develop an understanding of the post trauma adjustment of the survivors of the terrorist attack on Army Public School, Peshawar, 16th December, 2014. The participants included five students from APS-Boys and data was collected through in-depth interviews. The data gathered was coded and analyzed according to the phenomenological tradition. The data revealed a significant impact of trauma on the participants 6 months after the attack. The distress is manifested through symptoms of emotional disturbance, arousal (physiological disturbances), behavioral disturbances, re-experiencing (cognitive disturbances), and functional disturbances. The phenomenon of post trauma adjustment is described through the coping strategies devised by the students and the positive changes in life perspectives that they have experienced post the trauma. The coping is facilitated by themselves through helpful behaviors and their faith in religion as well as through others like family, peers, teachers, and community. The positive changes in perspective have impacted the present by improving the student’s confidence, communication, bonds with the loved ones, and helping them realize the impermanence of life; their future perspectives have changed by helping them look for life goals and achieve some purpose in life. The results were discussed according to the Broaden-and-build theory of emotions, Fear Avoidance theory, Constructivist self-development theory, and the shattered assumptions model. Further research on post trauma adjustment is recommended to further explore resilience, and role of culture in trauma adjustment in depth for this region.