Project description
A new social paradigm for trauma research
What happens when a person survives a traumatic event such as war, sexual assault, a devastating earthquake or a car crash? Some people may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Others undergo post-traumatic growth (PTG) in which they develop and grow stronger because of their trauma. To better understand this, the EU-funded SIMTIC project will develop a new social paradigm for trauma research. It will examine physiological, clinical and socio-political consequences of stress and trauma that result from changes in the nature, extent and quality of social identities. It will consider whether loss of social identities causes PTSD and whether gaining social identities can support health and growth. It will also examine how trauma related change in social identities can be linked to socio-political attitudes and activism.
Objective
This project will develop a new social paradigm for trauma research that will allow us to understand post-traumatic stress and facilitate post-traumatic resilience and growth. This new paradigm holds that changes in social identities – the sense of self we derive from being part of valued groups – are at the heart of post traumatic outcomes. This breakthrough project will develop a synergistic model explaining how physiological, clinical and socio-political consequences of stress and trauma result from changes in the nature, extent and quality of social identities. Ground-breaking theory will be supported by ground-breaking methods. (1) Changes in group membership and identification and identity resources will be linked to objective measures of stress and trauma. Since, to date, emerging evidence of health benefits of group memberships and social identities have largely been demonstrated using subjective measures, this methodological advance is both novel and important. (2) Causal effects of positive and negative change in social identities on stress and trauma outcomes will be examined using longitudinal and experimental approaches, working in both laboratory and community contexts. (3) Qualitative studies will explore whether changes in social identities are associated with post traumatic growth at the personal level as well as the novel idea that trauma can effect change and growth in social identities. (4) Finally, a large scale survey will assess whether trauma, via enhanced social identification, can drive progressive social change. This new paradigm will transform the conceptualization of trauma from individual to social; deepen our understanding of the physiological and psychological implications of stress and trauma; and link the personal effects of stress and trauma to its wider social and political consequences.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-ADG - Advanced Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-ADG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
- Limerick
Ireland
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.