No abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate coping strategies and the experience of mental health interventions in Rwandans traumatised by their experiences during the 1994 genocide and its aftermath, living in Belgium and Finland. A questionnaire was completed by 341 Rwandans above 20 years of age (166 males, 175 females), with the purpose to investigate similarities and differences in coping strategies and psychological interventions in the two host countries. The participants were also interviewed. The results show that Rwandans in Belgium were more satisfied than those living in Finland with the therapeutic interventions, survivors' group activities, and social support they had received in their host country. Rwandans in Finland, on the other hand, relied more on psychopharmaca and the use of alcohol as coping mechanisms than those living in Belgium.

The study investigated the role of cultural impact on South Sudanese and Rwandan women who nowadays reside in the diaspora in Finland and Belgium. It explores the cultural violence against women before and after the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsis, and after the independency of South Sudan. This argument is presented through an analysis of existing literature and documents; and through interviews with 341 respondents (166 men and 175 women) belonging to the Rwandan diaspora in Belgium and in Finland; and 420 participants (302 females and 118 males) married, divorced, single mothers in South Sudan. The results show that women and girls in South Sudan continue to be at risk of violence from cultural impact more than Rwandan women. Poverty, education, and insecurity play a huge role in promoting aggression against South Sudanese women.

Trauma is one of the dominant ways of demonstrating an individual's relationship with his/her past. It concerns individuals, groups, communities and nations; particularly when considering the experience that was subjected to collective violence. Studies have demonstrated that an individual's health, well-being and conduct are influenced by their history and cultural identity. This study aims to investigate the impact of traumatic experiences on the personal health and conduct of Rwandans traumatized by their experiences during the 1994 genocide and its aftermath, living in Finland and Belgium. A questionnaire was filled in by 341 Rwandans over 20 years of age (166 males, 175 females), with the purpose of investigating their life experiences and mental health interventions in the two host countries. The results show that Rwandans in Belgium were more satisfied than those living in Finland with the therapeutic interventions, cultural identities, and social support. Rwandans in Finland, on the other hand, relied more on psychopharmaca and the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism than those living in Belgium.

The knowledge and understanding of cultural concepts of mental illness is essential to plan public mental health programs and aid projects in East and Central African countries. This study aims to understand the cultural concepts of mental illness and draw a useful framework that could inform the clinical practices of psychiatrists working with Rwandan people who were traumatized by their experiences during the 1994 genocide and its aftermath, living in Finland and Belgium. Questionnaires were dispatched in 27 different locations of Finland and Belgium in schools and churches (13 locations in Belgium & 14 locations in Finland). A total of 341 respondents (166 males, 175 females), 50 from Finland and 291 from Belgium, participated in the study. The findings show that Rwandans in Belgium were more satisfied than those living in Finland, with friends, religious leaders, and spiritual healers helping them to cope with their trauma. Rwandans in Finland, on the other hand, relied on traditional means (wedding and dance), medicines and the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism more than those living in Belgium.