‘It Touched My Heart’ - Trust and Attachment in the Aftermath of Trauma for Cambodian Orphans and Young People

The last two decades have seen significant economic advancements in Cambodia. However, high poverty levels remain, particularly rural communities. Poverty, conjunction with work scarcity, often leads to the disruption of nuclear family as parents may migrate find work. As a result, children are most vulnerable landscape broken families, many living grandparents or placed residential care facilities “orphans”, despite having parents. This article stems from broader body doctoral research area trauma and resilience. project interviewed 40 participants, incorporating resilience scale timeline alongside qualitative interview technique. focus this underscores attachment social connectedness recovery for 26 young people (aged 18-30) that were study. presents some key findings capture voices Cambodian survivors (many whom orphans) who lived experiences jails institutions, and/or foster care. study demonstrate importance healthy relational interactions buffering impact childhood trauma.