Global Voices of Trauma Recovery: A Synthesis of Survivor-Provided Advice for Overcoming Gender-Based Violence Across Seven Countries

Abstract

Minimal research has examined culturally nuanced healing experiences across national landscapes, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of culturally relevant healing experiences for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). This paper explores these experience among 136 survivors of GBV across seven global contexts. Using the Clinical Ethnographic Narrative Interview-Trauma, after reflecting on their healing journey, survivors shared advice for others healing from GBV. Using the Comparative Ethnographic Narrative Analysis Method, we found shared, culturally distinct, and nuanced themes in this advice, including actions to promote healing, building a positive self-concept, and finding strength. Findings underscore the importance of contextually sensitive and survivor-informed approaches in social and health services, urging more tailored healing strategies after GBV. Findings also demonstrate the importance of analyzing cultural nuance in qualitative research themes to allow more culturally relevant survivorship care.