How Does Your Culture Impact Your Experience of Trauma?

No matter where we turn in our work and in our lives, there it is—trauma. It doesn’t matter if it’s a lowercase t or an uppercase T, it is trauma. It doesn't matter if it’s little trauma or big trauma. It is hard. 

There were eighteen of us in the Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care Workshop. Most of us were in roles as service providers: coaches, debriefers, and counselors. We were all there to learn—to learn how to deal with our own stories of trauma and to learn how to walk alongside others in their pain and suffering. 

The definition of trauma was given by one of the workshop facilitators and See Beyond counselors, Tim Reid: “Trauma is a wound to someone’s nervous system.” When I heard the definition, it sounded biological. The nervous system is anatomical, involving our brain, spinal cord, and nerves. It pretty much plays a role in everything we do as human beings.

Needless to say, our nervous system is important. When it’s damaged, it’s a big problem.

As we studied the concept of trauma in the workshop, it sounded global, universal. Aren’t we all biologically the same, no matter where we live in the world? It seemed universal . . . until we broke up into small groups to discuss trauma in our personal and local contexts.

We were all from different countries. We all spoke different languages. We all lived and worked in different cultures.

Was trauma the same everywhere? Was dealing with trauma the same everywhere? 

Real-Life Application

I work with survivors from Morocco rescued from human and sex trafficking. I wonder how I would explain this concept to these women in a simple and easily understood way. Many of them are uneducated and illiterate. Maybe I could use pictures or role play? How would their cultural background affect them and their trauma experience?

My mind raced from English to Arabic as I attempted to find the correct words and sentences to explain “trauma” to my Moroccan friends in the safe houses. 

I have to adapt this concept to the people I work with—Moroccan women, Iranian refugees, North American expats . . . 

Trauma doesn’t seem to be “one size fits all.”

“What about your cultural context?” I asked the others in the small group.

Everyone had a different answer.

Insights for Navigating Emotional Landscapes

Trauma is a universal human experience, yet its expression, interpretation, and processing vary significantly across cultures. For expatriates living abroad, understanding these cultural differences is crucial for personal well-being and effective cross-cultural interactions.

Defining Trauma: A Cultural Lens

Trauma is commonly understood in Western contexts as a response to an event that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) outlines criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), focusing on symptoms such as re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance, and hyperarousal. However, this framework may not encompass the full spectrum of traumatic experiences across different cultures.

Research indicates that cultural factors significantly influence the development and expression of post-traumatic symptoms. For instance, a study by David J. Eberle in the Journal of Traumatic Stress highlights that cultural psychological factors are particularly relevant in understanding post-traumatic stress, suggesting that the DSM's criteria may not fully capture the nuances of trauma experienced in diverse cultural contexts.

The way individuals express trauma is deeply rooted in cultural norms and values. In individualistic societies, such as those in many Western countries, there is often an emphasis on personal autonomy and self-expression. Consequently, individuals may be more likely to verbalize their traumatic experiences and seek professional help.

Conversely, in collectivistic cultures, where community and family are central, expressing trauma may be less overt. Individuals might suppress their feelings to maintain social harmony and protect family reputation. This can lead to underreporting of trauma and reliance on community-based coping mechanisms.

This same contrast can be seen in the expression of grief in diverse cultural contexts.

As I explored this contrast between individualistic and collectivistic cultures, I had a flashback of my years living in Morocco. Some of our dearest friends had suddenly lost their 5-year-old son to meningitis. When we arrived at the hospital, the mother was screaming and crying uncontrollably. The women gathered around her to console her and said, “Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry.” 

Those words still haunt me today, as this shocked, traumatized, and grieving mother was not allowed to fully express her deep pain and suffering. It was forbidden by the community, the family, the friends . . . the culture. 

My friend did what the culture imposed. She suppressed her pain for days, weeks, months, and years. My friend later explained to me that the community’s culture and faith were tightly woven together to dictate the proper manner of public expression of trauma.

Behind the words, “Don’t cry. Don’t cry. Don’t cry,” is an understanding that one must accept what has happened and not question it. Any outward expression of one’s pain from a trauma experience reveals non-acceptance and resistance to a greater divine and sovereign plan.

Photo by Leftfield Corn on Unsplash‍ ‍

Processing Trauma: Cultural Coping Mechanisms

Coping strategies for trauma are also culturally influenced. In some cultures, traditional healing practices—such as storytelling, rituals, and communal gatherings—play a significant role in processing trauma. These methods provide a sense of community, helping individuals make sense of their experiences within a cultural framework.

In contrast, Western approaches often focus on individual therapy and medical interventions. While these methods can be effective, they may not always align with the cultural beliefs and practices of individuals from different backgrounds.

A study by Laurence Kirmayer in Transcultural Psychiatry emphasizes the importance of considering cultural concepts of distress and coping mechanisms, understanding that cultural beliefs shape how individuals understand and respond to traumatic events.

Trauma and the Expatriate Experience

For expatriates, navigating trauma can be particularly challenging—whether it be their own trauma or the trauma of those among whom they live and work. The experience of living abroad often involves exposure to new cultural norms and values, which can influence how trauma is perceived and managed. Additionally, the stress of adapting to a new environment can exacerbate feelings of isolation and vulnerability. 

Understanding cultural differences in trauma expression and processing is essential for expatriates to effectively manage their emotional health. Engaging with local communities, learning about cultural norms, and seeking support from culturally competent professionals can aid in this process.

Translating Trauma

For expatriates, recognizing and respecting cultural differences in trauma expression and processing is vital for personal well-being and successful integration into new environments. By embracing cultural diversity and seeking appropriate support, expatriates can navigate the challenges of living abroad with resilience and understanding.

As our small group in the workshop continued to discuss the topic, we realized that trauma is a multifaceted experience that is shaped by cultural contexts. This involves a complex mix of our own cultures, the cultures in which we live and work, as well as the cultures of those with whom we journey alongside. We are a long way from fully understanding how to do this, but we certainly have a new cultural awareness about trauma that we did not have when the workshop began.

Are you interested in learning more about how to process and heal from trauma? Our See Beyond team has designed a podcast especially for cross-cultural workers, particularly those in remote or hard-to-access settings, to explore how to recognize and navigate trauma. Join us for this season of Thriving in the Bush as we offer practical guidance for cultivating a healthier, more vibrant life in your current context.

References

Eberle, D. J. (2024). Cultural psychological factors in post-traumatic symptom development. *Journal of Traumatic Stress*, 37(1), 45-53. 

Kirmayer, L. J., et al. (2007). Cultural concepts of distress and coping mechanisms. *Transcultural Psychiatry*, 44(3), 445-467.