The Psychological Impact of Protracted Campaigns of Political Violence on Societies

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT OF EXPOSURE TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE: COPING WITH CONFLICT

Post conflict reconstruction ◽

10.5848/csp.2602.00005 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 85-103

Author(s):

EVE BINKS

Keyword(s):

Political Violence ◽

Psychological Impact

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Psychological impact of long-term political violence: An exploration of community service users.

Traumatology An International Journal ◽

10.1177/1534765607302279 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 15-25 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Karola Dillenburger ◽

Montserrat Fargas ◽

Rym Akhonzada

Keyword(s):

Political Violence ◽

Community Service ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Service Users

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Continuous Traumatic Situations in the Face of Ongoing Political Violence

Trauma Violence & Abuse ◽

10.1177/1524838015585316 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 562-570 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Orit Nuttman-Shwartz ◽

Yael Shoval-Zuckerman

Keyword(s):

Literature Review ◽

National Security ◽

Political Violence ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Extended Period ◽

Clinical Analysis ◽

Emotional Reactions ◽

Traumatic Experiences ◽

Future Research ◽

Security Threats

This article presents a literature review of the concept of continuous traumatic situations (CTS), which relates to residents living in ongoing situations of political violence and national security threats. The first aim of this review is to narrow the gap regarding knowledge about the concept of CTS by presenting findings from studies that have assessed the effects of CTS on civilian populations. The second aim is to describe CTS in a way that highlights the differences and similarities between posttraumatic stress disorder and responses to CTS. This distinction is a necessary precondition for examining CTS, as is a careful clinical analysis of the development and course of symptoms. This literature review also highlights the importance of adopting a supplementary perspective for understanding the psychological impact of ongoing exposure to real threats, which can be used as a basis for developing intervention strategies that are appropriate for coping with life in the context of persistent violence. CTS can be manifested as emotions, behaviors, and perceptions among individuals, families, communities, and societies. The nature of the proposed model of CTS is a circular one, combining past and future perceptions and emotional reactions that have resulted from continuous and repeated traumatic experiences over an extended period of time. This wider understanding reflects the complexity of the CTS phenomenon. Various micro and macro interventions relating to CTS as the result of political violence situations and national security threats are presented, and recommendations for practice, policy, and future research are offered.

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Prevalence and predictors of psychopathology in the war-afflicted Syrian population

Transcultural Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1363461520937931 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 136346152093793

Author(s):

Pirko Selmo ◽

Christine Knaevelsrud ◽

Nabil Mohamad ◽

Jürgen Rehm

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Political Violence ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Psychological Symptoms ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Female Gender ◽

Daily Stressors ◽

Potentially Traumatic Events ◽

High Level

Research on the psychological impact of war on affected populations is important for the planning and provision of interventions. However, most studies that address the effects of political violence have been restricted to Western countries, and even after six years of civil war in Syria, there has been no study addressing its psychological impact on the general population. The present study used an online survey to examine the level of psychological symptoms and correlates of distress in a sample of 387 subjects from different areas of Syria. We used t-tests to compare symptoms across zones with different levels of war activity, and multiple regression models to identify predictors of distress. Results indicate a high level of psychological distress indicative of psychopathology in all regions across the country. Rates were higher in areas with more intensive exposure (‘hot’ zones). Greater symptom severity was associated with living in a hot zone, female gender, older age, the number of potentially traumatic events, daily stressors, and (low) perceived feeling of safety; whereas social support, religiosity, and religious coping were associated with lower levels of symptoms. The elevated levels of mental health problems and direct relation between the level of exposure to violence and poorer mental health point to the need for mental health services. Reducing daily stressors and ensuring safety could contribute significantly to better mental health, although this does not replace the need for evidence-based psychotherapy. The planning and delivery of psychological interventions by NGOs should be informed by issues related to stigma, lack of understanding and acceptance of psychological care.

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