Psychological effects of trauma: experiences from post election violence among primary school children in Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to find out the psychological effects of traumatic experiences resulting from the post election violence among primary school children in Kenya. The population included all the standard seven pupils in six primary schools in Kibera and Kayole settlements. A random sample of 164 pupils in each location was selected. The instruments included: personal experiences during post election violence, psychological stability scale, and post traumatic experience psychological scale. The findings showed that there were tremendous differences in traumatic experiences between children in the violence ridden areas and those in areas which did not witness violence There was a significant difference in the level of psychological stability between pupils who experienced communal violence and those who did not. There was also a high level of PTSD among the pupils who experienced violence but there were no significant gender differences in the level of PTSD among the affected pupils.It is recommended that there should be a provision for parent-teacher communication; availability of school psychologists and counselors; in school setting.