An exploration of the meaning and relevance of spiritual beliefs amongst survivors of torture

This study sets out to explore how torture survivors make sense of their spiritual and religious beliefs in relation to their experiences of torture. Qualitative interviews with four survivors of torture from different countries were conducted, two with an interpreter, to explore the relevance of spiritual and religious beliefs in making sense of experiences of torture. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three master themes were developed: the ways of making meaning of lived experiences, the impact of torture and life in exile are discussed. Spiritual and religious beliefs emerged as a framework used for making sense of torture experiences. Other ways of making sense of experiences of torture also featured in participants' accounts. The significance of these themes for theory, research, clinical practice and service organisation are considered