From the South Sudan conflict to the war in Syria and the violent conflict in Myanmar, it is an inevitable reality that people will continue to experience war trauma, which will - in some cases - escalate to post-traumatic stress disorder and other major psychological disorders. This thesis sets out to examine war trauma, based on its psychological effects, treatment and management. It elaborates on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the risk and protective factors therein. Moreover, it derives information from various academic sources that will help expound on war trauma.
It also intends to use the trauma therapy sessions which were conducted by the author, on South Sudanese refugees and nationals in South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda as practical experiences in evaluating this thesis with the expectation that it will serve as a contribution to academics and also provide the much needed information on war trauma to governments, military defense departments, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors and all relevant stakeholders in this field.
With the escalation of wars and conflict, around the world, there has been an upsurge of refugees and immigrants in and outside Europe. This has sparked various debates, thereby creating an interest on the effects war has on military personnel, workers and civilians, in conflict areas. Having interacted with some of these groups at a personal and professional level, the author brings on board some of these unique experiences.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. AIM OF THE THESIS
3. METHODOLOGY
4. RESULTS OF THE THESIS: LITERATURE REVIEW
4.1. BASIC CONCEPTS
4.2. ASPECTS OF WAR TRAUMA WHICH LEAD TO PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA
4.3. EFFECTS OF WAR TRAUMA
4.4. POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)
4.4.1. DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR PTSD (Diagnostic and Statistical manual for Mental Disorders: DSM-5)
4.4.2. STRUCTURAL BRAIN ABNORMALITIES IN PTSD
4.4.3. TRANSGENERATIONAL TRANSMISSION OF TRAUMA AND VIOLENCE
4.4.4. RISK FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PTSD IN WAR TRAUMA AND TORTURE SURVIVORS
4.4.5. PROTECTIVE FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PTSD IN SURVIVORS OF WAR TRAUMA AND TORTURE
4.5. TREATMENT OF WAR TRAUMA
4.6. MANAGEMENT OF WAR TRAUMA
4.7. AUTHOR’S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE SOUTH SUDAN CRISIS
5. SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS
6. DISCUSSION
7. CONCLUSION
8. RECOMMENDATIONS
Research Objectives & Key Themes
This thesis examines the phenomenon of war trauma, focusing on its psychological effects, diagnosis, and management strategies. It aims to contribute to academic discourse and provide actionable information for governments, mental health professionals, and humanitarian stakeholders by synthesizing diverse scientific sources and personal fieldwork conducted in South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda.
- The psychological impact and long-term consequences of war trauma.
- Diagnostic standards for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) according to DSM-5.
- Risk and protective factors influencing the development of trauma-related pathologies.
- Therapeutic approaches and management models for survivors of conflict.
- The transgenerational transmission of trauma and violent behavior.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2. ASPECTS OF WAR TRAUMA WHICH LEAD TO PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA.
The current war and conflict zones of the world include South Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Egypt, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Israel-Palestine border disputes; which have resulted in the displacement of thousands of people internally, plus creating refugees, who flee to other countries, for fear of their lives as it is currently happening in Syria. Countries have also experienced genocides as a result of these conflicts and they include Rwanda, Cambodia and Bosnia. These conflicts psychologically affect people of all ages and gender.
Childhood exposure to war trauma is a common occurrence. A report published in 2002, estimated that in the preceding decade, more than two million children were killed in wars, and many more, were victims or had witnessed violence that accompanied wars. Exposure to traumatic experiences in childhood results in mental health consequences in adulthood. For example, the Adverse Childhood Study has been able to prove that there is a dose-response relationship between adverse experiences in childhood and adult mental health.
Abadi, et al., mention that with nearly 30 years of war, conflict and instability, a country like Afghanistan has experienced an estimated 3.7 million displaced people, human casualties numbering 100,000, since 2001, high poverty rates and major damages to their infrastructure. As a result, vast majority of the Afghanistan population has likely experienced traumatic events that are war- related. Research shows that 40% of Afghans have experienced at least 8–10 traumatic events, in a span of 10 years, and 14.1%, 11 or more. Symptoms of psychological distress and psychopathology are associated with war-related trauma. Greater exposure to war trauma is correlated with higher levels of psychological symptoms.
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of how trauma is defined and managed in contemporary societies, highlighting the role of government guidelines and the distinction between various types of trauma.
2. AIM OF THE THESIS: Outlines the necessity of studying war trauma and PTSD as a global issue and specifies the research approach utilizing scientific literature and personal field experience.
3. METHODOLOGY: Details the systematic literature review process using databases like PubMed and Cochrane, including specific inclusion and exclusion criteria for study selection.
4. RESULTS OF THE THESIS: LITERATURE REVIEW: Analyzes the fundamental concepts of trauma, its psychological effects, diagnostic criteria, transgenerational impact, and existing evidence on risk and protective factors.
5. SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS: Synthesizes the findings, emphasizing the correlation between risk factors and PTSD development to inform holistic treatment programs.
6. DISCUSSION: Reflects on the shift in knowledge toward the long-term psychological implications of war for civilians and children beyond immediate physical effects.
7. CONCLUSION: States that war trauma is an inevitable, urgent reality and suggests that prevention is more effective than managing the costly long-term consequences.
8. RECOMMENDATIONS: Proposes proactive emergency responses, improved educational structures in conflict zones, and the importance of international legal accountability.
Keywords
War, trauma, PTSD, refugees, immigrants, psychological distress, mental health, cognitive behavioral therapy, child soldiers, South Sudan, conflict, violence, transgenerational trauma, neurobiology, DSM-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
The work focuses on understanding war trauma, its psychological repercussions—specifically Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—and the effective treatment and management strategies for affected populations.
What are the central themes discussed in the literature review?
The review covers the definition of trauma, neurobiological changes associated with PTSD, diagnostic criteria (DSM-5), risk and protective factors, and methods of treatment like TFCBT and EMDR.
What is the primary goal of the author?
The primary goal is to provide a comprehensive analysis of war trauma that bridges academic research with practical clinical experience, specifically to aid governments and health professionals.
What scientific methodology was applied?
The author conducted a systematic literature review using evidence-based databases (PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct), analyzing over 38 relevant studies concerning the psychological impact of war.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines the etiology of trauma, the structural brain abnormalities in PTSD patients, the transgenerational transmission of violence, and the practical challenges of therapy in crisis zones.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include war trauma, PTSD, refugees, South Sudan, mental health, transgenerational effects, and psychological therapy.
How did personal experience influence this research?
The author integrated insights from actual trauma therapy sessions conducted with South Sudanese nationals and refugees in South Sudan, Kenya, and Uganda, offering a ground-level perspective on the humanitarian crisis.
What specific role does education play in the author's healing strategy?
The author argues that education serves as a powerful protective factor and a tool for healing, helping traumatized youth redirect their minds toward rebuilding their country rather than remaining trapped in the cycle of conflict.
What is the author's conclusion regarding prevention?
The author concludes that preventing wars at the source is significantly more efficient and humane than attempting to manage the irreversible psychological and economic devastation that follows in their wake.
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- Caroline Kithama (Autor:in), 2017, The Psychological Effects of War, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/381987
