Long-Term Effects of Political Violence: Narrative Inquiry Across a 20-Year Period

Abstract

The study of long-term effects of political violence generally concentrates on effects of a single event or period of violence on individuals or groups of individuals and commonly relies on recollections from those who experienced violence a long time after the event. Against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's Troubles, in this article we use narrative inquiry methodology to explore the long-term effects of violence across a 20-year period on a different level. Using two sets of interview data, one collected 20 years ago during a period of intense violence and the other collected recently, after the ceasefires when levels of community violence had decreased, we allow for comparisons of contemporaneous experiences and personal narratives that illustrate differences and similarities across a 20-year period. Personal accounts of violent experiences, individual coping and psychological health, social support needs and provision, and political and cultural change mirrored fluctuating levels of community violence across time, showed growing levels of societal awareness of victims' issues and increasing levels of service provision, and illustrated the effects of postceasefire violence.

Rethinking Prenatal Care Within a Social Model of Health: An Exploratory Study in Northern Ireland

“…Social and health problems continue to reflect the impact of past political conflict on both physical and mental health (Dillenburger, Fargas, & Akhonzada;O'Reilly & Stevenson, 2003). Northern Ireland includes several of the most socially disadvantaged areas of the UK, with high levels of deprivation and unemployment in some areas (Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, 2010).…”

Political violence, collective functioning and health: A review of the literature

“…Scholars of political violence in El Salvador and Argentina concluded political violence deliberately destroys relationships, social ties and networks (Martín-Baró et al ., 1994, Robben, 2005). While other authors do not characterize the destruction of networks as an overt act of political violence, studies by Pedersen et al (2008), Jones, et al (2003), and Dillenburger et al (2008) in Peru, Kosovo and Ireland found destruction of networks was the ultimate result.…”

“…Massive displacement and migration due to political violence diminishes local and national networks, with scholars estimating the majority of the world’s 12 million refugees and 22 to 25 million internally displaced persons are fleeing political violence (Pedersen, 2002, Sidel and Levy, 2008). Massive displacement, internal and outward migration were reported as consequences of political violence by Dillenburger, et al (2008), Carballo, et al (2004), de Jong, et al (2002), Pedersen, et al (2008), Ugalde, et al (2000), and Jones, et al (2005) in their studies in Ireland, Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Peru, El Salvador and Zimbabwe. Evans-Campbell, et al (2008) concluded forced displacement of American Indian children into boarding schools, adoptions and foster care has lasting consequences for communities, including loss of language and traditional practices and potential future leaders, ultimately jeopardizing the ability of a community to envision or plan its collective future.…”

“…Withdrawal, suspicion, mistrust and isolation of members from larger community and social life due to political violence were reported by Esparza (2005), Lykes, et al (2007) and Flores, et al (2009), who each examined political violence in Guatemala. Withdrawal, distrust and isolation were also reported from an array of research locations, including Dillenburger, et al in Ireland (2008), Snider in Peru (2004), Skidmore in Burma (2003), and Jenkins’ research among refugees from El Salvador (1991). Morina and Ford’s research in Kosovo found 34.3% of participants reported symptoms of damaged relationships, including distrust and withdrawal (2008).…”

“…This conviction was associated with a drop in survivors’ belief in the basic goodness of people and a just order. Dillenburger, et al’s (2008) study of political violence in Ireland found lasting bitterness among people towards larger society fueled by violence and the perception that perpetrators were not held accountable. This diminished belief in goodness of people and a just order, in turn, reduced people’s belief in democracy.…”