Authors: Sousa, Cindy; El-Zuhairi, Mona
Source: THE LANCET, 390 (S36);10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32037-8 AUG 2017
Abstract: Modern strategies of political violence increasingly rely on the erosion of previously held boundaries between a war-front and a home-front. As political violence intrudes into civilian spaces, families encounter home invasions and demolitions; impediments on movement; and surveillance, detainment, and humiliation. Because of the use of these type of tactics, political violence jeopardises the protective role of parents when it is most needed. Yet, despite a few studies associating the inability to safeguard their children to parents' profound distress, insufficient knowledge exists of how, within political violence, parents encounter unique threats to well being and strategise for individual and family resilience. In this pilot study we aimed to expand knowledge about mental health and the family within political violence through exploring mothers' experiences during this type of conflict.