Caregiver and community insights on coping strategies used by adolescents living in conflict-affected communities

ABSTRACT

The aim of this qualitative study was to provide a context-specific understanding of adolescent (10–15 years of age) exposure and coping with trauma from the perspective of mothers/female caregivers and key informants in rural conflict-affected villages. Focus groups were conducted with mothers/female caregivers (4 groups with total participants n = 26) and interviews were conducted with key informants (n = 9) in four villages in the Walungu Territory, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Focus group and interview guides were designed to elicit responses by participants on adolescent exposures to trauma and coping strategies. A grounded theory approach was used to identify emergent themes. Mothers/female caregivers and key informants reported use of both cognitive and behavioural coping strategies by adolescents. Cognitive coping strategies included avoidance and trying to forget. Behavioural strategies included self-imposed isolation, risk-taking and social-support-seeking behaviours. Findings indicated community social support was a critical resource for adolescents, particularly for adolescents that did not have adequate support from their family. Supporting positive peer, family and community relationships can help prevent risk-taking behaviours and teach positive coping strategies to break a cycle of violence reported in these communities. Recommendations for gender-specific intervention programming are highlighted.

Abbreviations: DRC: Democratic Republic of Congo; PAIDEK: Programme d’Appui aux Initiatives Economiques; PFP: Pigs for Peace; RFR: Rabbits for Resilience

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent
• conflict
• trauma
• coping

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the participants in the RFR and PFP programme for providing in-depth information on their life experiences. The authors are also grateful to the Congolese research team in the field, Alfred Backikenge Mirindi, Jean Heri Banywesize, Clovis Murhula Mitima, Arsene Kajabika Binkurhorhwa, Gisele Mushengezi Ntakwinja, Gracia Mitima Kindja and Nadine Mwinja Bufole. The authors are also grateful to Anjalee Kohli and Mitima Mpanano Remy for their support and guidance in completing this qualitative research in DRC. The study was designed by MC and NG. The data were analysed and interpreted by MC and NG. Manuscript preparation was done by MC and NG. All authors contributed critically and significantly to drafting the final manuscript. All authors approved the final version.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Megan Cherewick http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4227-5833

Additional information

Funding

This study was conducted with support from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)-funded Youth and Adult Microfinance to Improve Resilience in the Democratic Republic of Congo [grant number R01 HD 71958]. Additional support was provided by the Robert D. and Helen S. Wright Fellowship in International Health from the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.