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PTSD as a consequence of past conflict experience, recent exposure to violence and economic marginalization in post-conflict contexts: A study from Nepal, Guatemala and Northern Ireland

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  • Arne H Eide
  • Karin Dyrstad

Abstract

Background: Exposure to war and conflict increases the risk of mental health problems. Poor living conditions are known to negatively impact mental health. Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that exposure to negative events after armed conflict interacts with past negative experiences, socioeconomic factors and current mental health problems. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in three contexts of previous internal armed conflict: Nepal, Guatemala and Northern Ireland. Three nationally representative samples were drawn, comprising a net sample of 3,229 respondents. Results: Both recent negative events and past negative events linked to the previous conflicts were found to be associated with elevated risk of post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Economic marginalization and urban residency also contributed to current risk of PTSD. Conclusions: The results support the study hypothesis that both past and recent negative events in combination with economic marginalization contribute to explain current risk of PTSD. It is necessary both to improve living conditions more broadly and to establish and develop health services that have the capacity to screen, prevent and treat mental health problems also in poor contexts, in particular against a background of previous armed conflict.

Suggested Citation

  • Arne H Eide & Karin Dyrstad, 2019. "PTSD as a consequence of past conflict experience, recent exposure to violence and economic marginalization in post-conflict contexts: A study from Nepal, Guatemala and Northern Ireland," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 65(6), pages 488-495, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:65:y:2019:i:6:p:488-495
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764019858122
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Helge Brunborg & Ewa Tabeau, 2005. "The Demography of Conflict and Violence," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 21(2), pages 129-130, June.
    2. Helge Brunborg & Ewa Tabeau, 2005. "Demography of Conflict and Violence: An Emerging Field," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 21(2), pages 131-144, June.
    3. Miller, Kenneth E. & Rasmussen, Andrew, 2010. "War exposure, daily stressors, and mental health in conflict and post-conflict settings: Bridging the divide between trauma-focused and psychosocial frameworks," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(1), pages 7-16, January.
    4. repec:wbk:wbpubs:13938 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Kruk, Margaret E. & Freedman, Lynn P. & Anglin, Grace A. & Waldman, Ronald J., 2010. "Rebuilding health systems to improve health and promote statebuilding in post-conflict countries: A theoretical framework and research agenda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(1), pages 89-97, January.
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    1. Martin Robinson & Emanuele Fino & Gülseli Baysu & Rhiannon N Turner & Natasha I Bloch & Donncha Hanna & Chérie Armour, 2025. "Trauma and identity predictors of ICD-11 PTSD and complex PTSD in a trauma-exposed Colombian sample," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 71(3), pages 469-478, May.

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