TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES, POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER LEVELS AND MENTAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS AMONG CHILDREN SURVIVORS OF POST- ELECTION VIOLENCE IN NAKURU COUNTY

Abstract

During 2007/2008 post-election violence in Kenya, children were exposed to and witnessed various traumatic events. These experiences may have left scars of shattered assumptions of safety and personal vulnerability.  Some may have developed anxiety disorders. The study sought to establish the traumatic experiences of children during the post-election violence and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) levels among secondary school children in Nakuru County. It employed ex-post facto research design, where a multi-stage sampling approach was used to obtain the sample. A Sample size of 460 respondents was derived from 10 division in Nakuru County which were hard hit by post-election violence.  The sample comprised of 400 children survivors of the violence; 20 deputy head teachers of the schools sampled and forty parents. Data for the study was obtained using questionnaires, interview schedules and Focused Group Discussions. A pilot study was conducted in Subukia division. Split-half method was used to determine the reliability of the research instrument and a reliability coefficient of 0.8 was established. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics while that obtained from interviews and focused group discussions was analyzed for content. Independent t-test was used to test the hypotheses while correlations were carried out to determine association between variables. The hypotheses were tested at significance level of 0.05.  The study found that the children had high exposure to traumatic experiences and high PTSD levels. The findings of this study provide useful information which can assist parents, teachers and policy makers put appropriate interventions for support to traumatized children.