I look & feel different’: A Qualitative Enquiry of Post-Traumatic Growth among Acid Attack Survivors

Abstract

Violence against women is a common phenomenon in different parts of the world, leaving them with physical and psychological damage because of the violent acts. In India, acid attack is one such violent crime inflicted on women. The aim of this study is to understand the trauma associated with such a heinous crime and how the acid attack survivors dealt with the trauma of the acid attack. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with ten acid attack survivors and themes were drawn out based on the factors that helped them in their post-traumatic growth, using thematic analysis. Four major themes emerged which facilitated the post-traumatic growth among the survivors: introspection about life, social relationships, sense of self and spiritual beliefs. Of these main themes, more sub-themes were derived which showed the factors that helped in the post-traumatic growth of the survivors. Post-traumatic growth after acid attack is a perplexing experience, which requires tremendous physical, emotional, social and institutional support. This study highlights the need for more rehabilitative models for helping these survivors grow out of their trauma.