I: Psychological trauma and social healing in Croatia
Abstract
A school-based pilot project is described which was designed to promote trauma healing, non-violent conflict resolution, peaceful living, human rights, and reduction of ethnic bias in Croatian children affected by war. A manual was written to guide teachers, who presented the curriculum over a four-month period. The subjects were 250 Fourth and Fifth grade children, divided into an intervention and two control groups. Pre- and post-testing revealed a small but significant reduction in ethnic bias and a reduction in post-traumatic stress symptoms in the intervention group. Follow-up testing showed that these benefits continued. There was a high level of acceptance of the programme by participants. The programme was extended in the subsequent year to 1200 students.
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In the Croatia study, no significant correlations were found between trauma exposure, trauma symptoms, and social distance (ethnic bias).
“No significant correlations were found between trauma exposure, trauma symptoms, and social distance (also called ethnic bias: the degree of one's acceptance of the actions of other ethnic groups).”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [63]
In the Croatia study, results revealed a small but significant reduction in ethnic bias in the intervention group compared to two control groups.
“Results revealed a small, but significant, reduction in ethnic bias and a reduction of stress symptoms in the intervention group as compared to two control groups”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [63]
A school-based curriculum for war-affected children from Croatia demonstrated positive results.
“A school-based curriculum to reduce psychosocial trauma and promote social healing in war-affected children from Croatia also demonstrated positive results.63”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [63]
In the Croatia study, results revealed a reduction of stress symptoms in the intervention group compared to two control groups.
“Results revealed a small, but significant, reduction in ethnic bias and a reduction of stress symptoms in the intervention group as compared to two control groups”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [63]
In the Croatia study, participants exhibited an increased positive perception of Serbs.
“Participants exhibited an increased positive perception of Serbs.”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [63]
In the Croatia study, more positive effects on self-esteem were observed among girls.
“with more positive effects on self-esteem observed among girls.”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [63]
Several studies reviewed highlight how paraprofessionals and lay facilitators may be successfully mobilized to deliver mental health and psychosocial interventions.
“Several of the studies reviewed here highlight how paraprofessionals and lay facilitators may be successfully mobilized to deliver mental health and psychosocial interventions.29,50–53,58,59,63”
From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [63]
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- Authors
- Woodside, D., Barbara, J. S., & Benner, D. G.
- Affiliations
- McMaster University (CA)
- Hamilton Health Sciences (CA)
- Venue
- Medicine, Conflict and Survival
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 1999-10
- Volume
- 15
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 355-367
- ISSN
- 1362-3699 (ISSN-L)
- 1743-9396
- OpenAlex
- W2066025705
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 2
- FWCI
- 8.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Medicine Conflict & Survival (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Peace and Human Rights Education
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Education for Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Keywords
- psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress, war-affected children, ethnic prejudice, nonviolent conflict resolution, peace education, human rights education, school-based intervention, Croatia
- MeSH terms
- Attitude, Child, Conflict, Psychological, Ethnicity, Humans, Psychological Distance, Stress, Psychological, Croatia
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