When death strikes early as often will: How counsellors and schools can support grieving pupils and students

Death is inevitable and universal, and the corona virus disease has only further intensified a world of uncertainties as a result of frequent accidents, HIV/AIDS, cancer and natural disasters. Bereavement after any death is a potentially disruptive life event with consequences in physical and mental health, relationships and social functioning. Death is a rather odd, thought-provoking and challenging experience, particularly in the lives of children and adolescents. Death of parent/s, sibling, relative/s, teacher, classmate or friend is a relatively new and challenging phenomenon. Persons working with pupils and students, including teachers, counsellors, school chaplain and social workers, need to be prepared to offer help to those who experience bereavement. Death is unpredictable and may occur naturally, suddenly, or traumatically. In several instances, help is sometimes required in advance of bereavement in that the death may be anticipated such as instances of prolonged illness or following a fatal accident. In all cases, the role of the teacher and counsellor in the school is pivotal in supporting pupils and students who have been bereaved. This paper highlights the need to impart post-traumatic growth in bereft pupils and students in schools in order to cope with bereavement.

Coping and mental health outcomes among Sierra Leonean war-affected youth: Results from a longitudinal study

This study explored how coping with war-related traumatic events in Sierra Leone impacted mental health outcomes among 529 youth (aged 10–17 at baseline; 25% female) using longitudinal data from three time points (Time 1 in 2002, Time 2 in 2004, and Time 3 in 2008). We examined two types of coping items (approach and avoidance); used multiple regression models to test their relations with long-term mental health outcomes (internalizing behaviors, externalizing behaviors, adaptive/prosocial behaviors, and posttraumatic stress symptoms); and used mediation analyses to test whether coping explained the relation between previous war exposures (being raped, death of parent(s), or killing/injuring someone during the war) and those outcomes. We found that avoidance coping items were associated with lower internalizing and posttraumatic stress behaviors at Time 3, and provided some evidence of mediating the relation between death of parent(s) during the war and the two outcomes mentioned above. Approach coping was associated with higher Time 3 adaptive/prosocial behaviors, whereas avoidance coping was associated with lower Time 3 adaptive/prosocial behaviors. Avoidance coping may be a protective factor against mental illness, whereas approach coping may be a promotive factor for adaptive/prosocial behaviors in war-affected societies. This study has important implications for designing and implementing mental health interventions for youth in postconflict settings.

Legal Pluralism in Settling Inheritance Disputes in Besemah, South Sumatera

Abstrak: Pluralisme Hukum dalam Penyelesaian Sengketa Waris di Besemah, Sumatera Selatan. Persoalan warisan hadir dalam setiap tradisi, mulai dari tradisi-tradisi besar hingga tradisi-tradisi kecil karena sebagaimana pendapat Vinogradoff bahwa warisan diberikan setelah kematian orang tua agar anak-anaknya mampu menjalani hidupnya setelah orang tua mereka meninggal. Karena itu, hukum Islam sebagai tradisi besar dan hukum adat Besemah sebagai tradisi kecil menetapkan aturan tentang warisan. Kedua sistem hukum ini dipraktikkan di Sumatera Selatan, khususnya di kelompok etnik Besemah. Tradisi warisan Besemah dipraktikkan secara luas di masyarakat Besemah. Namun, ketika ada perselisihan tentang warisan yang diajukan ke pengadilan, terdapat dua pengadilan yang berwenang untuk menyelesaikan perselisihan tersebut. Pengadilan Negeri mengadili unsur adat dari warisan (budel) dan kemungkinan unsur pidana dalam perselisihan waris tersebut. Namun ketika perselisihan diajukan ke Pengadilan Agama, hakim akan mengacu pada hukum Islam. Dengan begitu, negara mengakui pluralisme hukum waris.Kata Kunci: budel, jurai, warisan, Pengadilan Agama, Pengadilan NegeriAbstract: Legal Pluralism in Settling Inheritance Disputes in Besemah, South Sumatera. Inheritance issue is present in almost every tradition, ranging from great traditions to little ones because as Vinogradoff view that inheritance is given after the death of parent(s) in order that his/her children are able to lead his/her life after the his/her parents passed away. Therefore, Islamic law as great tradition, and Besemah’s customary law as little tradition lay rules on inheritance. The two legal systems are practiced in South Sumatera, especially in Besemah ethnic group. Besemah’s inheritance tradition is practiced widely in the society of Besemah, but when there is a dispute on inheritance adjudicated to court, there are two courts authorized to settle the dispute. State court tries the traditional element of inheritance (budel) and the assumed criminal element in the dispute. But when the dispute is booked to religious court, judges would refer to Islamic law. Here the state acknowledges pluralism of law of inheritance.Keywords: budel, jurai, inheritance, religious court, state court