TRAUMA, COPING AND RESILIENCE AMONG CONFLICT-AFFECTED YOUTH IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
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Date
2016-04-04
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Johns Hopkins University
Abstract
Youth affected by armed conflict endure a variety of potentially traumatic stressors and how youth employ coping strategies is important to understanding mental health resilience. The purpose of this study was to 1) examine youth coping strategies within the socio-cultural context of the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo 2) evaluate associations with mental health and well-being outcomes and 3) evaluate external factors at the individual, peer, family and community level to create an integrative model of youth mental health resilience. This thesis research is nested within Dr. Nancy Glass’s animal husbandry microfinance intervention studies Rabbits for Resilience (RFR) and Pigs for Peace (P4P), in the Walungu Territory in Eastern DRC. Qualitative research documented youth defined traumatic events and coping strategies. An adapted KidCope scale measured use of coping strategies. Factor analysis revealed four coping strategies utilized by youth; problem focused, emotion focused, avoidance and faith based coping. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to assess associations with internalizing and externalizing problems, prosocial behavior and self-esteem. Structural equation modeling was used to model paths between potentially traumatic exposures, coping, and external factors at the peer, family and community level. Problem focused coping was associated with increased internalizing and externalizing problems and lower prosocial behavior in both boys and girls. Emotion focused, avoidance and faith based strategies were associated with better self-esteem. When problem focused strategies were used with emotion focused strategies, the result was fewer internalizing problems in girls and fewer externalizing problems in boys and girls. This finding suggests that coping strategy flexibility may be particularly useful in dealing with potentially traumatic events. Home environment and caregiver health had a significant impact on psychological distress, while peer relationships, community relationships and enrollment in school benefited well-being. Results suggest that interventions should: 1) target support for multiple (grouped) coping strategies at the individual level; 2) support reduction in psychological distress through improved family relationships and caregiver mental health, and 3) target improved well-being through support of peer and community relationships and school enrollment.
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Keywords
Conflict, Trauma, Coping, Youth, Resilience