Trauma is the "stealing of my sense of being me": A person-centred perspective on trauma

Abstract

A study, grounded in the South African context, was conducted with the aim of accessing unique descriptions of the concept of trauma. This article describes the perceptions and experiences of trauma of 128 fourth-level Social Work students at the University of South Africa (Unisa). Focus group discussions were conducted at five of the regional offices of Unisa. The findings suggest a person-centred view of trauma that reflects on the person's perceptions and experiences of the self of the person. Questions arose regarding students' traumatic experiences and their possible effect on their studies and future careers as social workers.