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Coping among trauma-affected youth: a qualitative study

Overview of attention for article published in Conflict and Health, November 2015
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Title
Coping among trauma-affected youth: a qualitative study
Published in
Conflict and Health, November 2015
DOI 10.1186/s13031-015-0062-5
Pubmed ID
Authors

Megan Cherewick, Anjalee Kohli, Mitima Mpanano Remy, Clovis Mitima Murhula, Arsene Kajabika Bin Kurhorhwa, Alfred Bacikenge Mirindi, Nadine Mwinja Bufole, Jean Heri Banywesize, Gisele Mushengezi Ntakwinja, Gracia Mitima Kindja, Nancy Glass

Abstract

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has endured decades of conflict resulting in widespread experiences of conflict related trauma and destruction to health and social infrastructure. The aim of this qualitative study was to provide a context specific understanding of youth exposure to violence (ages 10-15 years) and use of cognitive and behavioral coping strategies. A purposive sampling strategy based on age, gender and exposure to traumatic events was used to identify eligible youth in an ongoing parent study from four villages in the Walungu Territory, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. These four villages were selected from a total of 10 participating in the parent study because of the reported high exposure to conflict-related trauma. The interview guide consisted of broad open-ended questions related to the following topics, 1) identification of traumatic experiences, 2) methods for coping and changes in coping behavior 3) gender and age differences in coping, 4) sources of psychosocial support. A grounded theory approach was used to identify emergent themes. Of the 48 eligible participants identified, 30 youth completed the interview, 53 % were female (n = 16) and 47 % were male (n = 14). Youth ranged in age from 10-15 (mean age = 13.07). Exposures to different forms of violence and stress were reported among youth participants. Exposures to traumatic stressors occur at the individual, family and community level. In response to traumatic stress, youth reported both cognitive and behavioral coping strategies. Cognitive coping strategies included trying to forget and praying. Behavioral coping strategies included social support seeking and risk-taking behavior. These strategies may be used in mutually reinforcing ways, with youth employing more than one coping strategy. This qualitative research provides important, culturally grounded information on coping strategies used by youth in rural post-conflict settings where limited psychosocial support services are available. Understanding use of cognitive and behaviors coping strategies may inform local community and international development programs to support youth mental health along adaptive trajectories resulting in promotion of well-being and reduced risk taking behaviors.

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Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 141 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
Unknown 141 100%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Student > Master 22 16%
Student > Ph. D. Student 18 13%
Student > Doctoral Student 15 11%
Student > Bachelor 14 10%
Researcher 11 8%
Other 20 14%
Unknown 41 29%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Psychology 32 23%
Social Sciences 22 16%
Nursing and Health Professions 12 9%
Medicine and Dentistry 11 8%
Arts and Humanities 6 4%
Other 14 10%
Unknown 44 31%
Attention Score in Context

Attention Score in Context

This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 1. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 14 January 2016.
All research outputs
#20,296,405
of 22,833,393 outputs
Outputs from Conflict and Health
#565
of 573 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#323,625
of 386,426 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Conflict and Health
#8
of 8 outputs
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