Posttraumatic shame: Thekey to unraveling the effects of military trauma on servicemen from indigenous communities. Bedouins in the Israel defense forces

This chapter explores the role of shame as the key to a deeper understanding of the persisting, long-term posttraumatic effects of combat trauma on indigenous veterans. Focusing on Bedouins serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the complex sociopolitical factors that enhance the experience of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in this group are discussed. The concepts of shame and honor are explored within the cultural attitudes towards emotions and their expression. It is suggested that posttraumatic shame is at the core of the vicious cycle created by impairements in self-capacity associated with the debilitating effects of PTSD. A conceptual framework for the treatment and interevntion needs of indigenous veterans with post-trauma is proposed.