Steidl Andreas, Kamara Aruna, Aziz Abdul, Massaquoi Anthony Sheku, Exenberger Silvia
Department of Psychology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Science Department, Freetown Polytechnic, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2025 Dec;20(1):2554483. doi: 10.1080/17482631.2025.2554483. Epub 2025 Sep 2.
Concerns have been raised about the cross-cultural applicability of Western-centric models of world assumptions, questioning their universality, patterns and role when facing trauma. Within a trauma-focused research project in Sierra Leone, this sub-study examines these issues in the local context.
We conducted a qualitatively driven mixed methods study (embedded design) from an emic-etic perspective. Qualitative interviews explored the assumptive worlds of 16 students, while questionnaires examining how assumptions were affected by trauma were completed by 280 students. All participants had experienced traumatic events (DSM-5). In addition, four expert interviews were conducted to address both aspects.
The concept of world assumptions (benevolence, meaningfulness, self) was found to be relevant in the Sierra Leonean sample; however, the patterns differed from those typically documented in Western societies. Additional assumptions concerning the self, the world, others, and meaningfulness were identified. Quantitative results indicated that participants' assumptive worlds were challenged by trauma, shaping their personal life stories and identities.
To strengthen culturally sensitive investigations, we propose renaming certain domains and dimensions to more neutral and inclusive ones, and considering additional facets. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of world assumptions and their role in diverse cultural contexts.
对于以西方为中心的世界假设模型的跨文化适用性，人们提出了担忧，质疑其在面对创伤时的普遍性、模式及作用。在塞拉利昂一项以创伤为重点的研究项目中，本子研究在当地背景下审视了这些问题。
我们从主位—客位视角开展了一项定性驱动的混合方法研究（嵌入式设计）。定性访谈探究了16名学生的假设世界，同时280名学生完成了关于假设如何受创伤影响的问卷调查。所有参与者都经历过创伤事件（《精神疾病诊断与统计手册》第5版）。此外，还进行了四次专家访谈以探讨这两个方面。
发现世界假设的概念（仁慈、意义、自我）在塞拉利昂样本中具有相关性；然而，其模式与西方社会中通常记录的模式不同。还识别出了关于自我、世界、他人及意义的其他假设。定量结果表明，参与者的假设世界受到创伤的挑战，塑造了他们的个人生活故事和身份。
为加强对文化敏感的调查，我们建议将某些领域和维度重新命名为更中立和包容的名称，并考虑其他方面。本研究有助于更细致入微地理解世界假设及其在不同文化背景中的作用。
