My doctoral dissertation examined how traumas born of authoritarianism can result in a specific psychological profile and maladaptive coping strategies that are passed on generationally. I studied this phenomenon among Slavic Community members who were raised by fundamentalist, evangelical Soviet refugees.

My findings show that chaos and overwhelming novelty (such as in cases of a collapsed government, persistent persecution, or sudden displacement) led to increased psychological rigidity and authoritarian behaviors among former Soviet Union refugees. I posit that authoritarianism in this community increased, in light of external threats, as a way of enhancing psychological safety through predictability and control over one’s internal and external environment.

I discovered that a “cycle of authoritarianism” unconsciously continues across Slavic generations as a coping mechanism and survival message to future generations until one acquires enough internal and external resources to break free from the trauma re-enactment.

I conclude my paper with reflections and guidelines that can be implemented to improve the scientific and clinical understanding, treatment, and support those who have survived totalitarian or authoritarian political or religious histories or environments, to improve their mental health and relational health outcomes in the long run.

To view the dissertation, please select one of these open-source sites:

AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive: https://aura.antioch.edu/etds/1206/

Ohiolink ETD Center: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1757444013727077