Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany.
Institute of Political Science, University of Leiden, Leiden, Netherlands.
J Trauma Stress. 2022 Dec;35(6):1696-1708. doi: 10.1002/jts.22871. Epub 2022 Sep 1.
Youth in conflict-affected regions are exposed to a multitude of traumatic events. These individuals often witness violence; experience it firsthand; and, in some cases, become perpetrators. The interplay of events shapes systematic trauma histories that may have unique implications for youths' mental health. In a cross-sectional study conducted in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we interviewed 295 war-affected youth (63.4% boys, M = 16.70 years), including former child soldiers (n = 171), regarding their traumatic experiences and mental health. Using latent class analysis, we identified four common trauma history classes categorized by (a) low exposure, (b) medium exposure, (c) high exposure, and (d) high exposure/perpetration. Across the sample, gradual increases in trauma load corresponded with increased vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, η = .36, and internalizing problems, η = .12; however, only youth from the high exposure/perpetration class differed significantly from other youth in their levels of externalizing problems, η = .13, and offending behaviors, η = .17. A longer time in armed groups was related to a higher risk of both experiencing and perpetrating violence. The results indicate that it is not child soldier status, per se, but the perpetration of violence that reinforces a cycle of violence in conflict-affected societies by contributing to increased externalizing problems and offending behaviors. In conflict regions, integrated approaches are needed to address both trauma and externalizing problems of war-affected youth.
受冲突影响地区的青年面临着多种创伤性事件。这些人经常目睹暴力；亲身经历暴力；在某些情况下，成为施暴者。事件的相互作用形成了系统的创伤史，这可能对年轻人的心理健康产生独特的影响。在刚果民主共和国（DRC）东部进行的一项横断面研究中，我们采访了 295 名受战争影响的青年（63.4%为男孩，M=16.70 岁），其中包括前儿童兵（n=171），了解他们的创伤经历和心理健康状况。我们使用潜在类别分析，根据（a）低暴露、（b）中暴露、（c）高暴露和（d）高暴露/施暴，确定了四个常见的创伤史类别。在整个样本中，创伤负荷的逐渐增加与创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）症状的易感性增加相对应，η=0.36，以及内化问题，η=0.12；然而，只有来自高暴露/施暴类别的青年在他们的外化问题和违法行为的水平上与其他青年有显著差异，η=0.13，η=0.17。在武装团体中时间较长与经历和实施暴力的风险增加有关。结果表明，是施暴行为而不是儿童兵身份本身，通过加剧外化问题和违法行为，在受冲突影响的社会中强化了暴力循环。在冲突地区，需要采取综合方法来解决受战争影响青年的创伤和外化问题。
