Cognitive emotion regulation strategies and mental health problems in war-affected youth in Northern Uganda: findings from the WAYS study

Abstract

Background: Cognitive emotion regulation strategies (CERS) have been shown to moderate the influence of War Experiences (WE) on mental health problems.

Aims: This study assessed the influence of WE and use of specific CERS on mental health problems among war-affected youth in Northern Uganda.

Methods: Five hundred and thirty-nine participants in an ongoing war-affected youth study (WAYS) were assessed by locally developed measures. CERS were measured by Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). Multiple regressions were used to assess independent effects of gender, WE, and CERS on mental problems and their potential interaction.

Results: Gender, WE and all CERS except positive refocussing and reappraisal had significant independent main effects on symptoms of depression while only WE, self-blame and blaming others had significant main effects on conduct problems. The interaction terms of WE and coping strategies of rumination, catastrophizing, and self-blame significantly predicted symptoms of depression/anxiety while only the interaction between WE and blaming others predicted conduct problems. In contrast, putting into perspective and planning negatively predicted symptoms of depression/anxiety.

Conclusions: Interventions to reduce mental health problems should target coping strategies, especially adaptive strategies to youth in many post-conflict settings in Africa.

Keywords:

• War experiences
• coping strategies
• depression/anxiety
• conduct problems
• Uganda

Acknowledgements

We thank the former child soldiers for accepting to participate in this study and the following research assistants for collecting data: George Opio, Balaam Nyeko Otim (RIP), John Bismarck Okumu, Terrence Okot Akidi, Allan Silverman Obwoya, Denis Komakech, Sandra Abalo, Christine Laura Okello, Patrick Opira, Charles Opira, Justin Ongom, Dennis Nyero, Pamela Akumu, Christine Lamwaka, Brenda Akello, Agnes Areta, Kevin Aculu, Irene Faith Alinga, Douglas Too-rach, Sam Ford Komakech and Mary Fiona Aber. The usual disclaimer applies.

Declaration of interest

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

This study was funded by the Wellcome Trust (grant no. 087540/Z/08/Z) as part of the African Institutional Initiative for the project Training Health Researchers in Vocational Excellence (THRiVE) in East Africa.

Availability of data and materials

The WAYS Study dataset will be made available to be accessed by interested researchers. Researchers will be allowed to use the data after presenting a brief research proposal to be submitted to “The WAYS Study” secretariat and the Principal Investigator (PI).