Main Article Content
Children and adolescents' exposure to traumatic war stressors in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Abstract
This study focuses on post-traumatic reactions of
children and adolescents in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The study was conducted in Butembo between April 2001
and May 2001 during the ongoing war that started on 2 August 1999.
Semi-structured interviews combining a mix of open- and closed-ended questions
were used to collect data from 88 children (44 girls and 44 boys) and 91 schoolteachers
(40 women and 51 men) in 24 elementary and 20 secondary schools. The results
show that both children and adolescents, and schoolteachers, are traumatised by war-related traumatic events such as
shooting, loss of family members and forced recruitment into the armed forces.
For example, 72.59% children and adolescents said they had lost a family
member, 95.45% had experienced shooting, and 75% reported high levels of
insecurity leading to a decline in school performance. The research suggests
that international agencies devoted to protecting young people should provide
assistance even during war, because the cost of healing may be too high if
action is only taken later. Special attention should be given to teachers,
arming them with skills that will equip them in supporting traumatised
children.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2004, 16(1): 25–30
children and adolescents in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The study was conducted in Butembo between April 2001
and May 2001 during the ongoing war that started on 2 August 1999.
Semi-structured interviews combining a mix of open- and closed-ended questions
were used to collect data from 88 children (44 girls and 44 boys) and 91 schoolteachers
(40 women and 51 men) in 24 elementary and 20 secondary schools. The results
show that both children and adolescents, and schoolteachers, are traumatised by war-related traumatic events such as
shooting, loss of family members and forced recruitment into the armed forces.
For example, 72.59% children and adolescents said they had lost a family
member, 95.45% had experienced shooting, and 75% reported high levels of
insecurity leading to a decline in school performance. The research suggests
that international agencies devoted to protecting young people should provide
assistance even during war, because the cost of healing may be too high if
action is only taken later. Special attention should be given to teachers,
arming them with skills that will equip them in supporting traumatised
children.
Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health 2004, 16(1): 25–30
