Poetry Therapy, Disability, and Trauma Expression: A Therapeutic-Phenomenological Perspective

Authors

  • Anas Ahmadi Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Bambang Yulianto Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Abdul Aziz Khoiri Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Muhammad Turhan Yani Pancasila and Citizenship Education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Norfaizal Bin Jamain Department of Malaysian Languages and Applied Linguistics, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia
  • Kamal Yusuf Arabic Language and Literature, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Agik Nur Efendi Indonesian Language and Literature Education, Universitas Islam Negeri Madura, Indonesia
  • Nuria Reny Hariyati Nuria Reny Hariyati, Akademi Farmasi Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Siti Ina Savira Siti Ina Savira, Psychology, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia
  • Nur Khozin Nur Khozin, Professional Medical Education, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2025.13.03.7

Keywords:

Disability, phenomenology, literature, therapeutic, trauma

Abstract

This study aims to explore how individuals with disabilities express traumatic experiences through literary works from a therapeutic-phenomenological perspective. The research employs a qualitative-phenomenological method, with data collected from 45 literary works written by individuals with disabilities. The therapeutic process involved filtering, handling, and follow-up stages, involving 45 participants with disabilities. Data analysis was conducted through identification, classification, reduction, and exposition. The findings revealed varied themes: social criticism (35.5%), absurdism (17.7%), religion (13.3%), romanticism (4.4%), feminism (2.2%), and other themes (26.6%). Social criticism was the most dominant theme, followed by absurdism, religion, romanticism, feminism, and others. These works not only reflect emotional expression but also serve as a medium for critiquing discrimination and injustice experienced in society. The trauma expressed is primarily relational, such as social rejection and bullying, beyond just physical limitations. This study confirms that literary works are a vital means for individuals with disabilities to authentically voice their experiences and symbolically resist non-inclusive social systems. These findings aim to enrich interdisciplinary studies in literature, psychology, therapy, and disability studies.

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Published

2025-09-17

How to Cite

Ahmadi, A. ., Yulianto, B. ., Khoiri, A. A. ., Yani, M. T. ., Jamain, N. B. ., Yusuf, K. ., Efendi, A. N. ., Hariyati, N. R. ., Savira, S. I. ., & Khozin, N. . (2025). Poetry Therapy, Disability, and Trauma Expression: A Therapeutic-Phenomenological Perspective. Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment, 13(3), 335–341. https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2025.13.03.7

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General Articles