The Psychological Impact of War and Abduction on Children in Northern Uganda: A Review

Dokkedahl, Sarah Bøgelund; Oboke, Henry; Ovuga, Emilio; Elklit, Ask

doi:10.4172/2471-4372.1000109

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, these studies were carried out during the war or immediately after the war. More recently, Dokkedahl et al (2016) found a rate of 36.6%. In this study, 43% of the participants met the screening criteria for PTSD, higher than in the previous studies (e.g., Dokkedahl et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…More recently, Dokkedahl et al (2016) found a rate of 36.6%. In this study, 43% of the participants met the screening criteria for PTSD, higher than in the previous studies (e.g., Dokkedahl et al, 2016). It is important to note that our sample consisted of only female survivors of sexual violence.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The aftermath of violent conflicts in low and middle income countries in Africa have been associated with serious mental health consequences for the population, particularly the youth (Amone-P’Olak et al, 2013; Betancourt et al, 2013; Boothby, 1996; Joop & De Jong, 2002; Dokkkedahl, Oboke, Ovuga, & Elklit, 2016; van der Veer, 1998). These mental health problems include PTSD, depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, anger, hostility, and feelings of revenge, among others (Betancourt et al, 2013; Bolton et al, 2007; Boothby, 1996; Dokkkedahl et al, 2016; Ertl, Pfeiffer, Schauer, Elbert, & Neuner, 2011; Joop & De Jong, 2002; van der Veer, 1998). Over the years, considerable literature on the adverse mental health consequences of exposure to violent conflicts on war-affected populations have been generated (Betancourt et al, 2013; Boothby, 1996; Joop & De Jong, 2002; van der Veer, 1998).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

PTSD, mental illness, and care among survivors of sexual violence in Northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS study.

Amone-P’Olak

Elklit

Dokkedahl

2018

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Survivors of sexual violence are at risk of PTSD and report major obstacles to treatment and care. More resources should be allocated for interventions to improve access to care for survivors of sexual violence. Psychoeducation to create awareness, demystify myths and public stigma about mental illness, and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapies to reduce PTSD among survivors are recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

PTSD, mental illness, and care among survivors of sexual violence in Northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS study.

Amone-P’Olak

Elklit

Dokkedahl

2018

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Northern Uganda witnessed two decades (1986–2006) of a brutal war in which more than 50,000 people were abducted including an estimated 30,000 children commonly referred to as child soldiers (Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers, 2008). Although many studies have been conducted to assess the mental health consequences of the war on the survivors (Amone-P’Olak et al, 2013; Dokkedahl et al, 2016), only a few studies have assessed strategies survivors use to regulate their emotions as they cope with the consequences of the war (Amone-P’Olak, 2007; Amone-P’Olak et al, 2007). The choice of coping strategies can inform interventions to mitigate the negative consequences of war experiences such as depression or PTSD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coping with post-war mental health problems among survivors of violence in Northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS study

Amone-P’Olak

Omech

2018

J Health Psychol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mental health problems were assessed in a sample of war-affected youth in Northern Uganda. Univariable and multivariable regression models were fitted to assess the influence of CERS on mental health problems. Maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (e.g., rumination) were significantly associated with more mental health problems while adaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies (e.g., putting into perspective) were associated with reporting fewer symptoms of mental health problems. The youth with significant scores on mental health problems (scores ≥ 85th percentile) reported more frequent use of maladaptive than adaptive strategies. Interventions to reduce mental health problems should focus on enhancing the use of adaptive strategies.

show abstract

“…In rebel captivity, the abductees witnessed violence and were tortured, injured, involved in combat, used as human shields, and forced to mutilate, injure, or kill fellow abductees or civilians (Amone-P’Olak, 2004, 2009; Derluyn, Broekaert, Schuyten, & De Temmerman, 2004). All of these war experiences have been associated with mental health problems such as PTSD, psychotic symptoms, depression, anxiety, somatic complaints, and conduct problems (Amone-P’Olak, Jones, Abbott, et al, 2013; Betancourt et al, 2010; Boothby, 1996; de Jong, 2002; Derluyn et al, 2004; Dokkedahl, Oboke, Ovuga, & Elklit, 2015).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpersonal sensitivity as mediator of the relations between war experiences and mental illness in war-affected youth in northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS study.

Amone-P’Olak¹,

Elklit²

2018

Traumatology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The pathways from war experiences to mental health problems are poorly understood. The current study aims to assess the role of interpersonal sensitivity in the relations between war experiences and mental health problems based on data from the War-Affected Youth Survey cohort study. The War-Affected Youth Survey is an ongoing research project of formerly abducted children in Northern Uganda assessing their war experiences and the risk and protective factors in the development of mental health problems. Mediation of the relations between war experiences and mental health problems by interpersonal sensitivity was analyzed using structural equation modeling. War experiences were related to posttraumatic stress disorder through interpersonal sensitivity accounting for 55% of the variance in their relations, to depression/anxiety through interpersonal sensitivity accounting for 89% of the variance in their relations (i.e., near complete mediation), and to psychotic symptoms through interpersonal sensitivity accounting for 53% of the variance in their relations. The direct relation between war experiences, on the one hand, and posttraumatic stress disorder and psychotic symptoms, on the other hand, attenuated but remained statistically significant. For depression/anxiety, the direct relationship ceased to be significant after including interpersonal sensitivity in the model. Interpersonal sensitivity is an important determinant of long-term mental health problems in war-affected youth. Interventions to improve mental health should target youth with high scores on interpersonal sensitivity. Cognitive–behavioral therapy to recognize and change cognitive schemas in youth prone to interpersonal sensitivity is recommended.

show abstract

The Psychological Impact of War and Abduction on Children in Northern Uganda: A Review

Cited by 7 publications

References 34 publications

PTSD, mental illness, and care among survivors of sexual violence in Northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS study.

PTSD, mental illness, and care among survivors of sexual violence in Northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS study.

Coping with post-war mental health problems among survivors of violence in Northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS study

Interpersonal sensitivity as mediator of the relations between war experiences and mental illness in war-affected youth in northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS study.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About