“Tornar-me quem sou”

: o olhar profissional sobre o autoconceito dos sobreviventes de tráfico de seres humanos

Abstract

Human Trafficking (HT) constitutes an emerging global phenomenon, with an increasing number of reported cases where severe violations of victims' dignity and lives are evident. The implications of the experiences endured in the context of HT are extensive, including prolonged trauma, diseases and injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, and incalculable damage to one's identity. This subject, particularly regarding the self-concept of survivors, is under-researched, making intervention efforts challenging and posing a constraint to developing health and wellbeing initiatives tailored to this target population. Consequently, this study aims to describe the implications of experiences of exploitation across different spheres of the survivors' lives, with a special focus on their self-concept, through the perceptions of professionals, and to identify barriers and facilitators to effective intervention. Fourteen professionals from specialized multidisciplinary teams assisting victims of HT participated in the study, with semistructured interviews conducted and subsequently analyzed using thematic analysis procedures. The results revealed that professionals perceive survivors' self-concept negatively, emphasizing diminished self-esteem, a fragmented and distorted sense of identity compared to reality, and a self-worth marked by negativity. Survivors often see themselves as deserving of the suffering they endured, feelings exacerbated by self-blame and shame related to their experiences. The study's findings aim to contribute to the development of a culturally sensitive self-concept promotion program tailored to the needs of HT survivors.

Date of Award	24 Jan 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rita Francisco (Supervisor)