Aprilia, Syifa Pipit (2026) POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) EXPERIENCED BY THE MAIN CHARACTER OF HANYA YANAGIHARA’S A LITTLE LIFE (2015). Undergraduate thesis, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya.

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Abstract

This research thesis discusses the psychological disorder, namely PTSD
(Posttraumatic Stress Disorder), suffered by the main character in Hanya
Yanagihara’s A Little Life (2015). The trauma narrative remains significant as it
demonstrates the worst possible outcome of neglected and repeated trauma. While
scholars have already discussed the trauma within the novel, there is hardly any
research specifically addressing the trauma as PTSD. Therefore, the study aims to
identify symptoms, traumatic events, and effects of PTSD suffered by Jude St.
Francis as the main character. Furthermore, the study uses a psychological
approach and applies the PTSD theory by American Psychiatric Association
(2022) in DSM-5-TR to analyze the collected data. The data were obtained
through a close reading method of the novel. Although using DSM-5-TR as an
analytical framework, the study’s purpose is to reveal the representation of PTSD
in literary work rather than clinically diagnose Jude as a real patient. The findings
indicate that Jude exhibits all four PTSD symptom clusters: Intrusion, Avoidance,
Negative Alteration, and Arousal. His condition is associated with multiple
traumatic experiences, including sexual violence, physical abuse, being
kidnapped, serious injury, and learning of the lover's death. Moreover, PTSD
causes functional impairment in his life, such as poor relationships, physical
health problems, reduced quality of life, and increased suicide risk. Overall, Jude
illustrates the profound impact of repeated trauma and untreated PTSD,
emphasizing the need for greater recognition and mental health awareness.
Keywords: PTSD; Childhood Trauma; Sexual Assault Survivors; A Little Life

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