The Prevalence and Characteristics of Psychological Disturbances among War-Affected Children: Looking to the Voices of Cambodian Children
Loading...
Date
2008-06
Authors
Kovensky, Rachel A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Millions of children around the globe have been killed, maimed, disabled, or orphaned as
a result of armed conflict. Children have been exposed to brutal death, dangerous escape
or flight; violence; physical injury; mutilation; rape; starvation; loss of family, friends,
community, or home; and other war-related trauma. This exposure can have a significant
and long-lasting psychological impact such as the development of PTSD symptoms. The
development of psychological disturbances is largely determined by each individual
child's set of risk and resiliency factors. Cambodian children, who grew up under the
Khmer Rouge, provide an excellent illustration of children who have been affected by
war. Their primary accounts shed light on the horrific experiences of children amid
armed conflict, the psychological symptoms endured, and the risk and resiliency factors
that influenced each child's likelihood for developing psychopathology. These accounts
further illuminate the need for developmentally appropriate and culturally competent
prevention and intervention methods.
Description
105 pages
Keywords
children, psychological disturbances, war, Cambodian children, armed conflict