The psychological effects of traumatic experiences resulting from post-election violence among primary school children in Kenya
Loading...
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
This study sought to find out the psychological effects of traumatic experiences resulting from the post election violence among primary school children in Kenya. The population included all the standard seven pupils in six primary schools in Kibera and Kayole settlements. A random sample of 164 pupils in each location was selected. The instruments included: personal experiences during post election violence, psychological stability scale, and post traumatic experience psychological scale.
The findings showed that, at 0.05 level of significance, there were tremendous differences in traumatic experiences between children in the violence ridden areas and those in areas which did not witness violence (0.000). There was a significant difference In the level of psychological stability between pupils who experienced communal violence and those who did not (0.000).There was also a high level of PTSD (75-45 per cent) among the pupils who experienced violence but there were no significant gender differences in the level of PTSD among the affected pupils (0.649 and 0.706 for the two scales. There was no significant difference between pupils of different socioeconomic status in levels of PTSD.
It is recommended that there should be a provision for parent teacher communication; availability of school psychologists and counsellors; in school setting. The establishment of school-based programs on convict resolution, emotional literacy, arid anger management skills from early childhood is also recommended.
Description
Available in print copy
Keywords
psychological, traumatic, post-election, primary school
Citation
Mwania, J.M.(2011) The psychological effects of traumatic experiences resulting from post-election violence among primary school children in Kenya. Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam.