MAIN CHARACTER’S POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER IN THE MOVIE OF MANCHESTER BY THE SEA

This research analyzes the main character’s Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the film Manchester by the Sea (2016), directed by Kenneth Lonergan. The study focuses on identifying the PTSD symptoms experienced by Lee Chandler, the protagonist, and examining his personality traits before and after the traumatic incident. The analysis is carried out using the framework of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-V TR, 2022) for PTSD and the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality by McCrae and Costa. This study applies a descriptive qualitative method. The primary data were collected from the film’s dialogues, scenes, and script, while the secondary data were obtained from books, journals, and online sources that discuss PTSD and personality theories. The collected data were analyzed by matching Lee Chandler’s behaviors and expressions in the film with the PTSD diagnostic criteria and personality traits described in the theoretical framework. The findings show that Lee Chandler fulfills several PTSD diagnostic criteria in DSM-V TR, including intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative changes in cognition and mood, and alterations in arousal and reactivity. These symptoms are portrayed through his flashbacks, nightmares, emotional detachment, anger outbursts, and social withdrawal. The study also finds that Lee’s personality traits undergo significant changes after the trauma. Before the incident, he is described as more open, conscientious, and socially connected. However, after the traumatic loss of his children, his personality shifts to higher levels of neuroticism, reduced openness, lower extraversion, and diminished agreeableness. This research is significant because it demonstrates how psychological theories can be applied in literary analysis, particularly in understanding film characters. It highlights the impact of trauma on human personality and behavior, offering insights that may help readers and students recognize the representation of PTSD in literature and film. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the interdisciplinary link between psychology and literature, showing how films can reflect real psychological conditions and contribute to greater awareness of mental health issues.