The experience of forced labor and its meaning for the self: The case of Holocaust survivors

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Forced labor is any work or service that an individual is required to do involuntarily. It is considered a traumatic event. The study explored the meaning of the traumatic experience of forced labor and its influence on identity construction and work through the life course. A qualitative- phenomenological study, based on a sample of 20 Holocaust survivors, produced 3 major themes: the multiple faces of forced labor, forced labor constructing self-identity, and the "stamp" of forced labor in the survivors life wisdom. The varied perception of forced labor indicates that the trauma has both harmful and beneficial aspects, which reflect on the self.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)404-410
Number of pages7
JournalPsychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2014

Keywords

  • Holocaust survivors
  • forced labor
  • life review
  • old age
  • resiliency
  • trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The experience of forced labor and its meaning for the self: The case of Holocaust survivors'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this