Date of Award

Fall 12-1-1999

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Michael J. Murphy

Second Advisor

Veanne Anderson

Abstract

This review examines the literature on narrative and trauma in order to summarize and integrate findings on the role of narrative in adaptation to trauma. First, an introduction to the trauma literature, narrative theory, and how narratives have been studied in the context of psychotherapy is presented. Then, studies examining the characteristics of trauma narratives and their relationship to the resolution of trauma are presented and critiqued. Then, important methodological issues and the various measures used to study narratives in therapy and trauma and its sequelae are discussed. Factors that have been identified as affecting the construction of narratives in general and trauma narratives will also be discussed. Finally, the application of research findings to the therapy setting are discussed and directions for future research explored.

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