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Assessing Mental Health Outcomes of Political Violence and Civil Unrest in Peru

Author

Listed:
  • Jacques Tremblay

    (Department of Psychiatry and Douglas Institute Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, trejac@douglas.mcgill.ca)

  • Duncan Pedersen

    (Department of Psychiatry and Douglas Institute Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, Canada)

  • Consuelo Errazuriz

    (Douglas Institute Research Center, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

Abstract

Background: Sustained political violence (SPV) may have long-term effects. Aims: To assess mental and residual effects of exposure to SPV. To validate a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessment tool in Quechua-speaking Peru. Method: Survey of 373 individuals aged 15 and over using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Hopkins Symptom Checklist (HSCL-25) and a Trauma Questionnaire (TQ), derived from the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Sociodemographics were recorded. Reliability was assessed. Data reduction used factor analysis and modelling multiple regressions. Results: A quarter of the sample had symptoms compatible with PTSD. Questionnaire reliability ranged from 0.81 to 0.89. Factor analysis confirmed high construct validity for TQ and HSCL-25. Modelling showed a strong association of PTSD-related symptoms and expressions of distress with the degree of exposure to SPV, especially among returnees. Conclusions: Long-term consequences of exposure to SPV take the form of PTSD, anxiety and depressive disorders, and culturally formulated expressions of distress. Some implications for clinicians are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jacques Tremblay & Duncan Pedersen & Consuelo Errazuriz, 2009. "Assessing Mental Health Outcomes of Political Violence and Civil Unrest in Peru," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(5), pages 449-463, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:55:y:2009:i:5:p:449-463
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764009103214
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pedersen, Duncan & Tremblay, Jacques & Errázuriz, Consuelo & Gamarra, Jeffrey, 2008. "The sequelae of political violence: Assessing trauma, suffering and dislocation in the Peruvian highlands," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 205-217, July.
    2. Beiser, Morton & Turner, R.Jay & Ganesan, Soma, 1989. "Catastrophic stress and factors affecting its consequences among Southeast Asian refugees," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 183-195, January.
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