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Social progress
is the result of many influences such as the
development of physical and environmental resources,
spiritual growth and individual qualities like
integrity and values. Social progress can be
modified by events such as invasion and war.
The Iraqi invasion of theState of Kuwait on
August 2, 1990, perhaps like nothing else before,
shocked this nation. An Arab brother betrayed
Kuwaiti trust and confidence as he diligently
went on a rampage of killing, torturing, demolishing
and destroying the country s achievements and
resources.
There are not many opportunities that exist
to intervene and examine the problems and difficulties
associated with an entire culture s recovery
from the devastation of occupation. However,
that
situation presented itself to me, shortly after
the conclusion of Arab Gulf War hostilities
in
Kuwait. I was called by a representative of
Amiri Diwan (government of His Highness The
Amir
of Kuwait) and asked to go to Kuwait and help
train and treat the psychological effects of
the
Iraqi invasion. In Kuwait, entire families and
most individuals of the society were struggling
with
how to accomplish a thorough and lasting recovery.
The invasion and the resulting occupation that
followed were overcome, but at a very high cost.
The routine of daily life was suspended for
mostly everyone during the invasion. Schools
and
universities were closed. Everyone stayed at
home, hoping to escape the atrocities that were
taking place. The experience was characterized
by a rapid or sudden onset, severely limiting
all
family and individual life for an extended period
of time. The destruction of property, the murders
and torture constituted a "national crisis."
The experience shattered everyone s illusion
of safety.
It had an acute effect upon civilian, military
and government leaving many individuals with
feelings of panic and terror. To win, the Kuwaitis
had to draw heavily from their courage,
resilience and strength - qualities that fortunately
resided in their personality and culture.
There is little doubt that Kuwaiti strength
and resilience have played a vital role in the
recovery
process long after the invasion. Moreover, Kuwaiti
strength has provided the will that allowed
many Kuwaitis to thrive beyond the horrors of
the invasion itself. Numerous western studies
have
sought to explain the role of predisposing personality
factors as they related to the impact and
experience of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD). Some studies carried out in the Arab
Middle
East have detailed the effects of the Gulf War
and many of those account for the importance
of
predisposing factors in their results, as well.
A basic component of the response mechanism
to trauma and stress includes the role of individual
personality (Shaw, 1990). The coping responses
to stressful events result from the interaction
of
personal predisposition (i.e., personality traits),
physiological factors and situational factors.
Research by Sing and Srivastava (1988), has
determined that different types of
psychophysiological disorders appear to be associated
with different personality types.
Cultural factors are also tied to the recovery
process and have had an effect on the quality
of
recovery from the invasion trauma as well. Cultural
factors can influence the development of
psychological problems or healing that results
from traumatic exposure.
Cultural factors may present as a "cultural
impediment" to recovery in some ways. In
some
circumstances, cultural factors prevented Kuwaiti
survivors from believing in his/her own self
and
disrupted the process of restoring meaning (e.g.,
about life before the trauma). Cultural factors
partially determined the availability of support
services and accessibility of confidential and
safe
locations to discuss problems and express feelings.
Cultural factors also influenced the manner
in
which trust was established and whether or not
isolated people were encouraged to come forward
to ask for assistance.
However, cultural factors played a crucial role
in the development of psychological and
psychosocial resilience, helping to build protective
mechanisms for future generations. Kuwaiti
cultural traits have been an integral and vital
piece of the overall puzzle of resilience. For
example,
non-western cultures (i.e., developing countries)
where values are somewhat different from the
industrialized values of the west, the distinction
between the male and female social environment
is more thorough.
In a traditional Arab culture, I observed males
making adaptive use of an abundant social support
system and using resources from among their
groups of family, friends and co-workers. In
fact,
the largest amount of support came from sources
other than their spouse (although this is
changing, especially in Kuwait). Similarly,
females found their resources for support from
female
friends and family members and not necessarily
their spouse (this is also changing in Kuwait).
The family structure in Kuwait is a very influential
factor in Kuwait. Regard for the importance
of
family is age old and perhaps goes to the heart
of the resilient Kuwaiti personality and the
culture
as a whole. Many Kuwaiti families raise their
children following an authoritative design.
This
particular style reinforces the Kuwaiti socialization
process, as it molds the children into
competent and capable adult members of society.
The consequence is a society characterized by
autonomous behavior, flexibility and reason.
Nuclear and extended family situations alike,
maintain the design.
The long-standing existence of limited options
has, since the discovery of oil, changed slowly
and
steadily. The practice of family traditions
and class structures defining education and
work
opportunities for the individual has most significantly
changed in this time period. Decisions are
no longer based on power alone, but increasingly
on merit as well.
The generally supportive and encouraging nature
of the Kuwaiti government, has led to the
development of new ways of dealing with problems
as well as new ways of handling old
difficulties. This has provided the framework
within which long-term and meaningful
advancement has been achieved for many Kuwaitis,
while continuing to embrace change among
them.
In general, strong ties with traditional culture
continue to exist alongside of new values, skills
and
attitudes. In this society, despite invasion,
extended families are maintained with strong
patterns of
control. This has helped to sustain a Kuwaiti
society based upon the cultural traits of flexibility,
love and reason. These three traits have stood
the test of time and have contributed to a sense
of
continuity, stability and unity.
It is known that people vary widely in their
ability and effectiveness to adapt to stress.
Resilience
involves balancing and rebalancing oneself in
the ever-changing world around us. We know that,
at times, people can be more resourceful and
effective than at other times in their life.
We must
recognize that there is a complex interaction
between what goes on inside a person and what
goes
on between that person and the world around
them.
In Kuwait today, the desperate need to recover
is mostly over. Yet, residual and longer term
needs remain. Rehabilitation and treatment have
helped in many ways. However, there are some
aspects of this experience that will linger
forever. For some Kuwaitis, life will never
be the same.
We can define Kuwaiti's growth as a legacy of
the Iraqi aggression.
In general, we can say that the brutality of
the Iraqi forces left behind a legacy of great
divide
between the Arab world and the Islamic world.
It is impossible to return exactly to the way
life
was before the aggression. However, the Kuwaitis
and their recovery exemplify how a traumatic
event can lead to growth and fortification.
Kuwaitis had to redefine their lives based on
the reality
of what they had been through and what they
had learned from their experience.
References
Shaw, J. A. (1990). Stress engendered by military
action on military and civilian populations.
In J.
D. Noshpitz & R. D. Coddington (Eds.), Stressors
and the adjustment disorders. (pp. 3-20). New
York: Wiley.
Singh, S. B. & Srivastava, R. (1988). Neurotic
and psychosomatic adolescents: A comparative
study. Child Psychiatry, 19, 36-41.
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