‘Never let your enemy see you broken’: cultural trauma script elements in the Republic of Georgia – an international consortium study

Background: Cultural trauma scripts are a new concept describing a sequential pattern of trauma reactions within a specific cultural context. The current study is a part of an international Network Project and explores cultural trauma scripts in Georgia, a country heavily affected by collective traumatic experiences stemming from a colonial past and armed conflicts.Objective: We aimed to identify elements of Georgian cultural trauma scripts, examine their associations within a temporal network, determine the cultural values linked to trauma reactions, and develop a substantially revised Georgian version of the Cultural Scripts of Trauma Inventory (CSTI).Method: Six focus groups were conducted: two with trauma experts— clinicians (N = 7) and four with survivors (N = 11) referred by clinicians. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.Results: Analysis revealed interconnected elements that create nodes within Georgian trauma scripts. One node follows a progressive sequence: self-deprecation, perceived non-acceptance, shame/guilt, pain concealment, isolation, with additional connections to maintaining façades of normality, deteriorating physical health, and caring for others. Another node centres on hypervigilance, mistrust, and avoidance. Georgian cultural values emphasize togetherness (‘the strength is in togetherness’), protection of dignity and reputation (‘never let your enemy see you broken’), and prioritizing others’ needs over one's own. These findings informed the development of the 68-item Georgian CSTI.Conclusion: Georgian trauma survivors follow culturally specific scripts where pain concealment, driven by shame and the feeling of non-acceptance, creates paradoxical isolation despite collectivistic values. Clinically, silence about suffering reflects adaptive cultural values rather than symptom absence. The Georgian CSTI provides a culturally grounded tool.