Numerous studies deal with the explanatory factors and the resources needed for survival and maintaining the psychological health after political repression or collective violence. They are concerned with coping strategies, attachment, as well as historical and social determinants of the development of protective factors [1], [2], or how the effects of repression are moderated by the political involvement and beliefs [3], [4]. In a group of 45 former political prisoners (mean age = 80.5 years) we aimed to reveal the coping styles and the key elements of their survival during political repression (1948-1989).The coping strategies developed by participants were evaluated using the Brief COPE inventory [5], while the biographical interview aimed to find the significant elements related with the survival during repression.Participant's scores to the Brief COPE scales show a significant presence of active coping and seeking instrumental support dimensions, suggesting their usefulness when confronting difficulties after release (insertion in a changed social environment, finding a job, etc.). Thematic analysis of the narratives identifies a number of key elements in dealing with adversity: beliefs, social or political concerns, perception of social changes after release, the presence of challenges, social activism, professional achievementMoreover, the flexibility in the choice and the ability to use different strategies appears to be an adaptive aspect in dealing with stressful situations and lived problematic experiences.
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