Mindfulness in Survivors of Cumulative Childhood Interpersonal Trauma: a Buddhist Conceptualization of Suffering and Healing

Objectives Buddha’s Four Noble Truths state that (1) life is full of suffering, (2) there is a cause of suffering, (3) it is possible to stop suffering, and (4) there is a path leading to the cessation of suffering. The current study aimed to explore how trauma-related suffering and mindfulness disp...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Mindfulness 2022-07, Vol.13 (7), p.1816-1828
Main Authors: Dussault, Éliane, Lafortune, David, Fernet, Mylène, Godbout, Natacha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Buddhism
Child and School Psychology
Cognitive Psychology
Drug abuse
Mindfulness
Original Paper
Pain
Pediatrics
Post traumatic stress disorder
Psychology
Public Health
Sex crimes
Sexual abuse
Social Sciences
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Summary:Objectives Buddha’s Four Noble Truths state that (1) life is full of suffering, (2) there is a cause of suffering, (3) it is possible to stop suffering, and (4) there is a path leading to the cessation of suffering. The current study aimed to explore how trauma-related suffering and mindfulness dispositions are experienced among survivors of childhood cumulative interpersonal trauma (i.e., CCIT, an accumulation of physical, psychological, and sexual trauma before the age of 18) through the lens of Buddha’s Four Noble Truths. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 23 adult survivors of CCIT (12 men, 11 women). A directed content analysis was performed. Results Findings revealed that survivors of CCT experience paths of suffering and healing echoing the Four Noble Truths. First, being a survivor of CCIT is a major source of suffering. Second, most participants engage in experiential avoidance (aversion, cravings, illusion, and amnesia) as adaptive strategies to pain and suffering. Third, some participants search for inner and outer resources to reduce the suffering caused by experiential avoidance. Fourth, a few participants engage in a path of liberation characterized by a new approach to trauma and to life. Conclusions Findings suggest that the integration of Western and Buddhist frameworks might foster a better understanding of mindfulness dispositions and suffering in survivors of CCT.
ISSN:1868-8527
1868-8535
DOI:10.1007/s12671-022-01922-7