Exposure to Armed Conflict and its Impact on Mental Health among University Students in Goma: An Analytical Study of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and Depression
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/japsy.3703Keywords:
Armed Conflict, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, University StudentsAbstract
Purpose: This study analyzed the impact of exposure to armed conflict on the mental health of university students in the city of Goma, with a particular focus on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative, descriptive, and analytical approach involving a sample of 400 students drawn from several higher education institutions in the city.
Findings: The findings show that approximately 77.5% of participants reported moderate to high levels of exposure to armed conflict.Statistical analyses indicate that 62.5% of students present moderate to severe PTSD symptoms, while 65% experience moderate to high levels of anxiety and 67.5% exhibit symptoms of depression. The Chi-square test revealed a significant association between exposure to armed conflict and PTSD (χ² = 45.67; p < 0.001). Correlation analyses showed strong relationships between PTSD and anxiety (r = 0.72), PTSD and depression (r = 0.78), and between anxiety and depression (r = 0.69), confirming a high level of comorbidity among the studied conditions.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The study contributes to trauma theory by demonstrating the interconnected nature of PTSD, anxiety, and depression in conflict settings, while also highlighting the protective role of social support in resilience building. In terms of policy and practice, the findings support the integration of university-based mental health programs, psychosocial interventions, and community support mechanisms in conflict-affected regions
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