'I'm Very Lucky Because This Is Even Better’: The Role of Social Identity Revitalisation in Recovery From Disaster

Abstract

Evidence shows that meaningful social connections and social identities following trauma can support positive post-trauma appraisals because they provide psychosocial resources needed for recovery. However, access to these resources is influenced by a process of social identity revitalisation—a change in the value and meaningfulness of these relationships and social identities. This study used a qualitative methodology to explore these social processes, particularly social identity revitalisation, in shaping survivors’ responses to trauma. We examined 33 lived experience accounts of Australian and New Zealand disaster survivors. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four themes, showing how social connections and revitalised social relationships helped survivors (re-)construct post-trauma identities in meaningful ways that supported recovery. These findings contribute knowledge that may help with interventions developed to harness social identity revitalisation, drawing resources from within their communities to help with recovery. Show more