LE3 .A278 2003

2003

Sumarah, John

Acadia University

Master of Education

Masters

Counselling

Education

Helping traumatized soldiers to change & evolve their belief systems could contribute to resolving Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is a preliminary look at addressing spiritual renewal as a significant component in therapeutic treatment of soldiers diagnosed with PTSD resulting from trauma during military tours. In 3 interviews over 6 months, 4 Canadian soldiers give accounts of their peacekeeping experiences, relating how trauma affected spiritual beliefs, shattering their assumptions about an ordered world, devastating the beliefs that give their lives meaning and purpose, destroying their faith in God and humanity, causing them to believe that the evil inclination in humans is more powerful than the good. Witnessing evil on peacekeeping tours can disconnect soldiers' ability to trust, love and have faith. The soldiers want guidance from therapists or clergy within their treatment for PTSD, to help them renew their spirituality as an approach to healing their suffering from PTSD.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3114