Work

Gender Differences in Traumatic Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms After the Rwandan Genocide Against the Tutsi

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: The effects of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi are widespread and long-lasting, but little is known about how posttraumatic consequences differ regarding gender. In the present study, we estimated the associations between trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in a Rwandan community sample and examined whether the associations differed by gender. The sample comprised 498 adults (75.2% women) living in Rwanda's Huye District in 2011. We used a validated self-report checklist to assess the eight most frequent traumatic experiences during the Genocide. The PTSD Checklist-Civilian version (PCL-C) was used to assess PTSS. Associations between trauma exposure and PTSS were estimated using structural equation modeling (SEM), with additional SEMs stratified by gender. The prevalence of exposure to each traumatic event ranged from 15.1% to 64.5%, with more severe PTSS among individuals who reported personal physical injury, β = .76, 95% CI [0.54, 0.98]; witnessing sexual/physical violence against a loved one, β = .51, 95% CI [0.20, 0.81]; a close relative/friend's death, β = .54, 95% CI [0.24, 0.83]; property destruction, β = .35, 95% CI [0.048, 0.51]; or a family member's death due to illness, β = .21, 95% CI [0.00, 0.41]. Men who saw people killed and women who witnessed sexual/physical violence against a close family member reported elevated PTSS. The psychiatric impact of the Rwandan Genocide continues into the 21st century. Increased attention should be paid to the long-term and demographic patterns of distress and disorder, especially in the absence of widespread clinical mental health services.

Source: Journal of Traumatic Stress

DOI: 10.1002/jts.22693

Authors: Jonathan M. Platt, Joanna Pozen, Joseph Ntaganira, Vincent Sezibera, Richard Neugebauer

Institutions: Columbia University, New York University, University of Rwanda, New York State Psychiatric Institute

Language: English

Topic: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health