Evolving Realities
Social Support, PTSD, and Posttraumatic Growth Among Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Women in a Shelter
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Mally Shechory Bitton
Traditional trauma research has primarily focused on negative psychological outcomes rather than positive adaptations (e.g., posttraumatic growth, PTG). Over the past two decades, evidence has emerged suggesting that individuals may also experience growth alongside—or as a result of—trauma. This study examines the associations between social support, PTSD, and PTG in an underrepresented and hard-to-access population—ultra-Orthodox Jewish battered women (BW). It included 88 women who had experienced prolonged domestic violence before seeking shelter. The findings reveal no significant association between PTSD and PTG. However, a positive correlation was found between social support and PTG, suggesting that greater social support may facilitate PTG. This study provides critical insights into the experiences of battered women in traditional communities, where stigma, secrecy, and social isolation often prevent disclosure of domestic violence. By highlighting trauma and PTG in conservative and closed populations, it broadens the understanding of these phenomena. The findings offer a foundation for developing culturally sensitive interventions to support survivors’ recovery and growth.
Religious Identities in a Contested Borderland: Vulnerability and Resilience in Orthodox-Catholic Relations Between Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Lana Peternel,
Nikolina Hazdovac Bajić
Religious institutions and identities shape both vulnerability and resilience within communities. This paper explores how Orthodox and Catholic communities in the contested borderland between Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) negotiate religious power, identity, and perceived vulnerability. Despite their proximity, these cities reflect different religious dynamics: Catholicism dominates in Dubrovnik, where the Orthodox community remains a minority, while the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) is central in Trebinje, reinforcing local identity in opposition to Catholicism and Western influences. Religion thus serves as both a protective and divisive force in these contexts. Drawing on peoplehood (Lackenby, 2023), this study examines how religious identity is shaped by historical narratives and collective memory. In Trebinje, the SOC positions itself as a protector of Orthodoxy, fostering a sense of historical vulnerability. In Dubrovnik, Orthodox believers navigate marginalization through invisibility and social adaptation, maintaining their presence in a predominantly Catholic environment. These contrasting strategies highlight how religious minorities manage vulnerability in different socio-political settings. The paper also explores Catholic-Orthodox cooperation, particularly in cultural heritage preservation, as a potential avenue for religious resilience. While tensions persist, these initiatives illustrate how shared historical narratives and collaboration can mitigate religious vulnerability. Furthermore, the study considers how institutional and legal frameworks shape the recognition and protection of religious minorities. By examining these dynamics, this paper contributes to broader discussions on how religion reinforces or alleviates vulnerability in contested spaces, while also addressing the role of religious institutions in either maintaining divisions or fostering resilience in post-Yugoslav contexts.
Religious Transformations through the Eyes of Young Students
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Enric Benavent Vallès
This study explores religious transformations as observed by 75 young students in their immediate surroundings. Based on a collection of testimonies responding to the question of identifying two examples of religious change in their environment, four main dynamics emerge: secularization, religious pluralism, the rise of alternative spirituality, and the flexibilization of beliefs. Secularization is evident in the decline of traditional religious practices and the weakening of institutional affiliations, particularly among younger generations. At the same time, religious pluralism is reflected in the growing diversity of beliefs and practices within social, educational, and professional spaces, requiring new strategies for coexistence. Additionally, there is an increasing interest in non-institutionalized spirituality, with practices such as yoga, meditation, or mindfulness often perceived as alternatives to traditional religion. Finally, the flexibilization of beliefs is seen in hybrid personal trajectories, where individuals combine elements from different religious traditions or adopt a more subjective approach to faith. These transformations highlight the complexity of contemporary religious experience, where the search for meaning remains present but takes on new forms, often detached from historical institutions. This study provides an empirical perspective on these changes, giving voice to young people as direct witnesses to these evolving dynamics.
