TY - JOUR
T1 - Emic Perspectives on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Children's Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being
T2 - Applying a Social Ecological Framework of Resilience in Northern Sri Lanka
AU - Thomas, Fiona C.
AU - Tol, Wietse A.
AU - Vallipuram, Anavarathan
AU - Sivayokan, Sambasivamoorthy
AU - Jordans, Mark J D
AU - Reis, Ria
AU - de Jong, Joop T V M
PY - 2016/6/9
Y1 - 2016/6/9
N2 - The impact of armed conflict on the mental health of children and youth has been well documented. However, examining emic perspectives (i.e., locally held insider views) on the mental health consequences of armed conflicts in diverse populations has received less attention. Qualitative data was collected in northern Sri Lanka, which included focus groups (FGs) with children, parents, and teachers (20 FGs), key informant interviews (18), and semistructured interviews with families particularly affected by the armed conflict (7). Thematic analyses showed a large range of impact on mental health conceptualized as spiritual problems (e.g., evil spirits and witchcraft), moral concerns (e.g., violence as a means to solve conflict), and perceived cultural decline. Most problems are addressed within the family, but eclectic care across the formal and informal sectors is sought when symptoms persist or worsen. Using a theoretical framework of ecological resilience, we identified examples of resources for children at the individual, family, and community levels. Mental health services in Sri Lanka could be improved by building on local mental health conceptualizations and available resources, especially with regard to rebuilding links between individual, family, and community structures. (PsycINFO Database Record
AB - The impact of armed conflict on the mental health of children and youth has been well documented. However, examining emic perspectives (i.e., locally held insider views) on the mental health consequences of armed conflicts in diverse populations has received less attention. Qualitative data was collected in northern Sri Lanka, which included focus groups (FGs) with children, parents, and teachers (20 FGs), key informant interviews (18), and semistructured interviews with families particularly affected by the armed conflict (7). Thematic analyses showed a large range of impact on mental health conceptualized as spiritual problems (e.g., evil spirits and witchcraft), moral concerns (e.g., violence as a means to solve conflict), and perceived cultural decline. Most problems are addressed within the family, but eclectic care across the formal and informal sectors is sought when symptoms persist or worsen. Using a theoretical framework of ecological resilience, we identified examples of resources for children at the individual, family, and community levels. Mental health services in Sri Lanka could be improved by building on local mental health conceptualizations and available resources, especially with regard to rebuilding links between individual, family, and community structures. (PsycINFO Database Record
KW - Armed conflict
KW - Children
KW - Resilience
KW - Sri Lanka
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84973473812&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1037/pac0000172
DO - 10.1037/pac0000172
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84973473812
SN - 1078-1919
JO - Peace and conflict : journal of peace psychology : the journal of the Division of Peace Psychology of the American Psychological Association
JF - Peace and conflict : journal of peace psychology : the journal of the Division of Peace Psychology of the American Psychological Association
ER -
