Transcending the Gates of Evin: Iranian Political Prisoners' Experiences of Survival
General Material Designation
[Thesis]
First Statement of Responsibility
Roxanne Christensen
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Bach, Lee
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Michigan School of Professional Psychology
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2016
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
180
GENERAL NOTES
Text of Note
Committee members: Ahmadi, Ramin; Blau, Diane
NOTES PERTAINING TO PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC.
Text of Note
Place of publication: United States, Ann Arbor; ISBN=978-1-369-57237-7
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
Psy.D.
Discipline of degree
Clinical Psychology
Body granting the degree
Michigan School of Professional Psychology
Text preceding or following the note
2016
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
This qualitative research study examined the question, What is the experience of survivorship for Iranian political prisoners? Six male participants who were imprisoned in Iran for political activism (fighting for civil rights and free speech, accurate representation, freedom from religious persecution, or humane treatment under detainment) narrated their experiences of survivorship through in-depth interviews. The data presented were analyzed utilizing the transcendental phenomenological research method to uncover the essence of survivorship. Six core textural themes emerged from the data: strength drawn from character and history, commitment to cause and a purpose to continue, demystifying the unknown through experience and education, reclaiming power and control, connecting with others, and transcending imprisonment by freeing the imagination. The themes were then further analyzed by their supporting universal structures: spaciality, causality, temporality, relationship with self, relationship with others, materiality, and bodyhood. This study is intended to be helpful for those working with former political prisoners, as well as those who experienced, or may experience, political imprisonment.
TOPICAL NAME USED AS SUBJECT
Middle Eastern Studies; Clinical psychology
UNCONTROLLED SUBJECT TERMS
Subject Term
Social sciences;Psychology;Iran;Political imprisonment;Political prisoners;Transcendental phenomenology