Abstract:
This study
sought
to determine whether there
were
significant gender differences in the levels of
posttraumatic st
ress disorder resulting from the post election violence among primary school
children in Kenya. The target population includes all the standard seven pupils in six primary
schools in Kibera and Kayole settlements. A proportionate random sample of 164 pupil
s in each
location
was
selected
to participate
in the study
. Three instruments
were used to collect data. These
were the
Personal Experiences
during
Post Election Violence
questionnaire
, Psychological Stability
Scale, and Post Traumatic Experience Psycholo
gical Scale.
Although the study revealed
high levels
of PTSD among the affected pupils, there
were no
significant gender differences in the level of
PTSD. It
was
recommended that there should be a provision for
enhanced parent
-
teacher
communications and th
ere be available school psychologists and counselors trained in family
intervention within the school setting. These are basic requirements for successful intervention and
treatment of childhood posttraumatic stress disorder. The establishment of school
-
ba
sed programs
from early childhood onward that teach conflict resolution, emotional literacy, and anger
management skills is also desirable.
