Ka Bogso: The 5Rs Model of Posttraumatic Growth for Somali Refugee Women

Abstract

People make sense of healing and growth through their cultural lenses. This study discusses the posttraumatic growth of Somali refugee women in the aftermath of traumatic events. Specifically, the study incorporates the Somali term ka bogso (being healed toward psychological wholesomeness) that emerges in cultural and spiritual response to life’s adversities into the 5Rs posttraumatic growth model for Somali refugee women. Grounded in humanizing research and decolonial psychological science perspectives, the study employed collaborative autoethnography to develop the model. Its key concepts are Running, Resettlement, Residual Stagnation, Reconciliation, and Resolution. Descriptions of the model were originally constructed orally and are presented in both written language and visual arts to make community knowledge accessible. Based on the model, the study discusses implications for community-oriented practice and the importance of decolonial knowledge coconstruction in supporting Somali refugee women who seek healing and growth. Suggestions for training, advocacy, and future research are discussed.