Resilience in the Kosovo Context: A Qualitative Study of Young Adults

Abstract

Most research on resilience has been conducted in North America and Western Europe, limiting our understanding of the processes of overcoming trauma in other cultural settings. This study explored the process of resilience through in-depth interviews with 19 emerging adults in Kosovo, a collectivist and post-conflict society. The study also included an examination of resilience among LGBTQ+ young adults in Kosovo. We used the resilience portfolio model as a framework, which in addition to being one of the few theoretical models previously applied to Kosovo resilience research, is also designed to be adaptable for different cultural contexts. The three domains of the resilience portfolio model, meaning making, regulatory, and interpersonal strengths, manifested in numerous ways in this sample. Participants described relying on some psychosocial strengths that are commonly identified in resilience research in other settings, such as social support and future orientation, as well as some factors, such as dignity, that have been less studied and may reflect more unique aspects of Kosovar culture. LGBTQ+ participants mentioned peer support as important, especially as many received limited support from family members. The process of coming out and activism were also highlighted as key strengths for LGBTQ+ participants. The results highlight the need to consider cultural settings in resilience research. Moreover, the study underscores the importance of supporting LGBTQ+ communities in Kosovo by recognizing their challenges, traumas, and capabilities.