The impact of 24/7 news coverage on the mental health of Israelis in the 'Iron Swords' War: A cross-sectional analysis among television audience.

This study aims to assess the impact of continuous 24/7 news broadcasting on the mental well-being of Jewish Israelis during the 'Iron Swords' War and compare it to findings from the 2014 Conflict. An internet-based cross-sectional panel survey was conducted on 11-12 October 2023, during the 'Iron Swords' War. The study focused on Israel's adult Jewish population, enabling comparisons with a previous 2014 study. Participants reported news consumption changes, attitudes towards newscasts (burdensome, relaxing, stressful, addictive, Fear Of Missing Out [FOMO], avoidance), opinions on 24/7 news, and anxiety symptoms. Among 802 adult Jewish participants in Israel, 83.8% increased news consumption. While more than 70% of respondents found the newscast stressing at least a medium level, more than 40% said they do not try to avoid them at all. Nearly 24% found it much addictive. Women and younger individuals reported more FOMO, stress, and addiction. More than 70% reported experiencing at least one anxiety symptom, and 21% of all four. Linear regression explained 42.9% of the variance of reported anxiety, with gender, age, news stress, addiction, and FOMO as predictors. The current study results show an increase in all measurements compared to a separate study conducted using the same tools in 2014. Jewish Israelis struggled with news consumption during the recent war, harming mental health. Heightened anxiety was observed, compared to 2014, and affected all demographics.

Exploring the Self-Reported Physical and Psychological Effects in a Population Exposed to a Regional Conflict.

BACKGROUND: Conflict profoundly impacts community health and well-being. While post-conflict research exists, little is known about initial effects during active hostilities. OBJECTIVE: To assess self-reported changes in health behaviors, distress, and care access within one month of regional warfare onset in a conflict-affected community. METHODS: An online survey was conducted in November 2023 among 501 residents (mean age 40.5 years) of a community where war began October 7th. Measures evaluated physical health, mental health, diet, substance use, sleep, weight changes, and healthcare access before and after the declaration of war. RESULTS: Relative to pre-war, respondents reported significantly increased rates of tobacco (56%) and alcohol (15%) consumption, worsening sleep quality (63%), elevated distress (18% sought help; 14% needed but didn't receive it), and postponed medical care (36%). Over a third reported weight changes. Distress was higher among females and those endorsing maladaptive coping. CONCLUSION: Within one month, substantial impacts on community psychosocial and behavioral health emerged. Unmet mental health needs and risk-taking behaviors were early indicators of conflict's health consequences. Continuous monitoring of conflict-affected communities is needed to inform tailored interventions promoting resilience and prevent entrenchment of harms over time.

La voz de las mujeres: el tránsito de víctimas a la legitimidad como constructoras de paces / The voice of women: the transition from victims to legitimacy as peace builders

Resumen El objetivo fue analizar las formas de afrontamiento de las violencias sexuales en mujeres víctimas sobrevivientes y su participación en los procesos de construcción de paz. Fue una investigación cualitativa a través de la Teoría Fundamentada, con el Interaccionismo Simbólico para originar la teoría, desde los significados que surgen en la interacción entre las personas y su entorno. Se recolectó la información con entrevistas a profundidad. La teoría construida resalta la experiencia de las violencias sexuales, la cual simboliza desazón, exilio, destrucción de sus metas y proyectos, la dificultad para perdonar por la magnitud del daño e incumplimiento de las leyes. Aunado a esto, las condiciones del territorio y su historia influyeron en los significados que las personas participantes asignaron a su experiencia inolvidable por las huellas del dolor; una de las formas de afrontamiento fue poder alzar su voz como un instrumento fundamental para el tránsito de víctimas a la legitimidad como constructoras de paces. Se concluye que, en la unión y en la mutualidad, encontraron la manera de legitimar sus voces y hacerlas oír por sus comunidades. El significado de la paz en las mujeres está representado en el estar en armonía, disfrutar de su cotidianidad, sentirse libres, sentirse importantes y únicas cuando hablan de la historia de dolor.

Abstract The objective was to analyze the ways of coping with sexual violence in surviving female victims and their participation in peacebuilding processes. It was a qualitative investigation through Grounded Theory, with Symbolic Interactionism to originate the theory, from the meanings that arise in the interaction between people and their environment. Information was collected through in-Depth interviews. The constructed theory highlights the experience of sexual violence, which symbolizes embodies the despair, exile, destruction of their goals and projects, the difficulty to forgive for the magnitude of the damage, and non compliance with the laws. In addition to this, the conditions of the territory and its history influenced the meanings that they assigned to their experience, duly unforgettable due to the traces of pain. One of the ways of coping was to be able to raise their voice as a fundamental instrument, for the transit of victims to legitimacy, as peace builders. We conclude that, in union and mutuality, they found the way to legitimize their voices and make them heard by their communities. The meaning of peace in women is represented by being in harmony, enjoying their daily lives, feeling free, feeling important and unique when they talk about their history of pain.

Traumatismo e violência: a criança em meio à guerra urbana brasileira / Trauma y violencia: el niño en medio de la guerra urbana brasileña / Traumatism and violence: the child in the middle of the Brazilian urban combat / Traumatisme et violence: l'enfant dans milieu de la guerre urbaine brésilienne

O cotidiano de muitas crianças no Brasil tem sido atravessado por situações violentas extremas, evidenciando um estado de abandono social. Sendo assim, o presente artigo visa compreender, a partir da história de Sandro Barbosa do Nascimento e da psicanálise, a natureza do traumatismo e sua relação ao trauma na experiência da criança que vivencia cenas violentas em seu cotidiano. Compreendemos que o traumatismo se constitui na dimensão singular de cada criança, a partir do modo como lidam com o encontro com o trauma que as cenas violentas comportam, bem como com o gozo que irrompe da proximidade do Outro totalitário. Estes modos podem se constituir do recurso simbólico de cada sujeito, mas também da experiência com o não-sentido

La vida cotidiana de muchos niños en Brasil ha estado atravesada por situaciones de extrema violencia, evidenciando un estado de abandono social. Así, este artículo pretende comprender, a partir del relato de Sandro Barbosa do Nascimento y del psicoanálisis, la naturaleza del traumatismo y su relación con el trauma en la experiencia de los niños que viven escenas violentas en su vida cotidiana. Entendemos que el traumatismo se constituye en la dimensión singular de cada niño, a partir de la forma en que se enfrenta al encuentro con el trauma que suponen las escenas violentas, así como con el goce que brota de la proximidad del Otro totalitario. Estos modos pueden constituirse a partir del recurso simbólico de cada sujeto, pero también de la experiencia con el sinsentido

The daily life of many children in Brazil has been crossed by extreme violent situations, evidencing a state of social abandonment. Thus, this article aims to understand, from the story of Sandro Barbosa do Nascimento and of psychoanalysis, the nature of traumatism and its relation to trauma in the experience of children who experience violent scenes in their daily lives. We understand that traumatism is constituted in the singular dimension of each child, from the way they deal with the encounter with the trauma that can be found at violent scenes, as well as with the jouissance that erupts from the proximity of the totalitarian Other. These ways may be constituted from the symbolic resource of each subject, but also from the experience with non-sense

La vie quotidienne de nombreux enfants au Brésil est traversée par des situations de violence extrême, et témoigne d'un état d'abandon social. Cet article vise à comprendre, à partir de l'histoire de Sandro Barbosa do Nascimento et de la psychanalyse, la nature du traumatisme et sa relation au trauma dans l'expérience des enfants qui vivent des scènes de violence dans leur vie quotidienne. Nous comprenons que le traumatisme se constitue dans la dimension singulière de chaque enfant, à partir de la manière dont il gère la rencontre avec le trauma qu'impliquent les scènes de violence, ainsi qu'avec la jouissance qui jaillit de la proximité avec l'Autre totalitaire. Ces voies peuvent se constituer à partir de la ressource symbolique de chaque sujet, mais aussi à partir de l'expérience du non-sens

Vínculos, autonomía y salud mental en adultos jóvenes del proceso de reintegración en Colombia / Bonds, autonomy and mental health in young adults of the reintegration process in Colombia

Este artículo busca explorar la construcción de los vínculos, su relación con el desarrollo de la autonomía y las problemáticas de salud mental de adultos jóvenes excombatientes de grupos armados que hacen parte del proceso de reintegración en Colombia. Se analizaron 3977 registros de la Encuesta Multimodal Psicosocial (EMP) correspondientes a adultos jóvenes entre los 18 y 24 años, que fueron aplicadas en desarrollo del proceso de reincorporación. Se aplicaron dos métodos de análisis estadísticos complementarios: el método de Componentes Principales (ACP) y un método Jerárquico aglomerativo. En el análisis de los procesos vinculares se encontró que en un grupo alrededor de un 80 % de los casos registra haber experimentado rupturas vinculares importantes a causa de la violencia, el abandono temprano y/o vivir en contextos de conflicto y violencia. En cuanto al análisis de los procesos de autonomía, se encontró que un grupo correspondiente al 70 % reporta no contar con las capacidades para garantizar su autonomía y calidad de vida, pasando por condiciones de precarización laboral con riesgo a incurrir en redes de delincuencia. Y un 39 % reporta coincidir alta disposición de riesgo en sus procesos vinculares y de autonomía.

This article seeks to explore the construction of bonds, their relation with the development of autonomy and the mental health problems of young adult ex-combatants of armed groups who are part of the reintegration process in Colombia. A total of 3977 records of the Psychosocial Multimodal Questionnaire (PMS) corresponding to young adults between 18 and 24 years old, which were applied in the development of the reincorporation process, were analyzed. Two complementary statistical analysis methods were applied: The Principal Components Method (PCA) and an agglomerative Hierarchical method. In the analysis of bonding processes, it was found that, in one group, about 80% of the cases recorded having experienced significant bonding ruptures due to violence, early abandonment and/or living in contexts of conflict and violence. Regarding the analysis of the processes of autonomy, a group corresponding to 70% reported not having the capacities to guarantee their autonomy and quality of life, going through conditions of job insecurity with the risk of incurring in criminal networks. And 39% report a high risk disposition in their relationship and autonomy processes.

El juego como escenario de construcción de paz en contextos de conflicto armado en Colombia / The game as a peace-building scenario in contexts of armed conflict in Colombia

Introducción: el artículo presenta algunos resultados de una investigación que buscó rescatar y visibilizar las potencias y los recursos de la niñez que se vio afectada por el conflicto armado, preguntando por las maneras en que los niños y las niñas pueden aportar a la construcción de paz desde sus potencialidades y escenarios relacionales, dando prioridad al juego como espacio socializador. Método: la investigación fue de tipo cualitativa y se ubicó desde la hermenéutica crítica comprensiva, empleando estrategias metodológicas como talleres creativos, entrevistas a profundidad y grupos focales. Resultados: algunos de los resultados evidencian que los niños y las niñas aportan a la construcción de paz desde la creatividad, el establecimiento de acuerdo con sus pares y otros agentes, pero, sobre todo, desde el juego como principal escenario en donde despliegan su autonomía y criterio propio para la configuración de sus acuerdos socia-les. Conclusión: se concluye que el juego se convierte en una práctica generativa, donde los niños y las niñas despliegan sus potencialidades y recursos como un aporte a la construcción paz.

Introduction: The article presents some results of a research that sought to rescue and make visible the potencies and resources of children who were affected by the armed conflict, asking about the ways in which children can contribute to peace building from their potentialities and relational scenarios, giving priority to play as a socializing space. Method: The research was qualitative and was based on comprehensive critical hermeneutics, using methodological strategies such as creative workshops, in-depth interviews and focus groups. Results: Some of the results show that children contribute to peace building through creativity, the establishment of agreements with their peers and other agents, but, above all, through play as the main scenario where they deploy their autonomy and own criteria for the configuration of their social agreements. Conclusion: It is concluded that play becomes a generative practice, where children deploy their potential and resources as a contribution to peace building.

O convívio entre adolescentes em medida socioeducativa de internação / La convivencia entre adolescentes en medida socioeducativa de internamiento / The coexistence between juvenile offenders at a treatment facility

RESUMO. O objetivo desta pesquisa é caracterizar o convívio entre adolescentes em medida socioeducativa de internação, a partir da perspectiva dos adolescentes. Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com dez adolescentes entre 16 e 18 anos em uma unidade socioeducativa de Porto Alegre. Os dados gerados nas entrevistas foram organizados a partir de uma análise temática de perspectiva êmica, isto é, geraram-se categorias nativas de acordo com a percepção dos participantes. Os adolescentes revelaram que facções criminosas eram o ponto de partida para o estabelecimento de relações amistosas ou de rivalidade; também descreveram um conjunto de normas que configuravam um pacto coletivo a favor de uma ordem institucional. Relações de amizades foram descritas, indicando a confiança e a segurança como facilitador do momento de internação. Houve ainda o relato da ocorrência de relações sexuais consentidas como resultado do longo período de internação. Os resultados indicam, sobretudo, um clima interpessoal hostil que promove o sofrimento psicológico e agrava a situação de vulnerabilidade. Ademais, a convivência entre adolescentes ociosos sem o devido acompanhamento pedagógico favorece a perpetuação de valores e interesses relacionados ao envolvimento com a criminalidade.

RESUMEN. El objetivo de este artículo es caracterizar la convivencia entre adolescentes en medida socioeducativa de internamiento, desde la perspectiva de los adolescentes. Se realizó entrevistas semiestructuradas con diez adolescentes, entre 16 y 18 años, internos en una unidad socioeducativa en Porto Alegre. Los datos generados en las entrevistas fueron tratados a partir de un análisis temático émico, esto és, generando categorías nativas de acuerdo con las percepciones de los participantes. Los adolescentes revelaron que las facciones criminales eran el base para el establecimiento de relaciones de amistad y rivalidad. Describieron también un conjunto de normas que configuraban un pacto colectivo en favor de una orden institucional. Relaciones de amistad fueron retratadas, lo que indica la confianza y la seguridad como facilitadores del tiempo de internación. Había también el relato de relaciones sexuales consentidas en consecuencia del longo período de internación. Los resultados indican un clima interpersonal hostil que promueve el sufrimiento psicológico y empeora la situación de vulnerabilidad. Además, la convivencia entre adolescentes ociosos sin el apoyo pedagógico adecuado favorece la perpetuación de los valores e intereses relacionados con la implicación con la criminalidad.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this research is to characterize the coexistence among adolescents in a juvenile detention facility from their perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten adolescents between 16 and 18 years of age in a social-educational unit in Porto Alegre. The data generated in the interviews were organized based on thematic analysis from an emic perspective, that is, generating native categories according to the perception of the participants. The adolescents revealed that criminal factions were the starting point for the establishment of friendly or rivalry relationships. They also described a set of norms that configured a collective pact in favor of an institutional order. Friendly relationships were described, indicating trust and safety as a facilitator of the moment of deprivation of liberty. There were also reports of consensual sexual relations as a result of the long period of detention. The results mainly indicate a hostile interpersonal climate that promotes psychological suffering and aggravates the situation of vulnerability. Furthermore, the coexistence of idle adolescents without the proper pedagogical following favors the perpetuation of values and interests related to involvement in criminal behaviors.

Education and armed conflict: consequences on the population of children and adolescents in Colombia: editorial / Educación y conflicto armado: consecuencias en la población de niños, niñas y adolescentes en Colombia: editorial

Throughout history, the right to education has been a determining and unquestionably necessary factor for the improvement of people; however, as a socio-political process, it has not been free of adversities. In this sense, for more than six decades, Colombia has lived in the context of an internal armed conflict

A lo largo de la historia, el derecho a la educación ha sido un factor determinante e indiscutiblemente necesario para la superación de las personas; sin embargo, como proceso sociopolítico, no ha estado exento de adversidades. En este sentido, desde hace más de seis décadas, Colombia vive en el contexto de un conflicto armado interno

La escritura del duelo en narrativas de mujeres víctimas del conflicto colombiano / The writing of grief in narratives of women victims of the colombian conflict

El objetivo de la investigación fue comprender los efectos de la escritura autobiográfica en la elaboración de los duelos, la transformación subjetiva y la construcción de la memoria de mujeres víctimas del conflicto armado. Este artículo se concentra en lo relativo a los procesos de duelo. Método: la investigación tuvo un enfoque cualitativo y el método utilizado fue el interaccionismo simbólico; se hizo un estudio de caso con un grupo de mujeres participantes en procesos de escritura autobiográfica; la información se recolectó con entrevistas semiestructuradas, talleres de escritura y selección de textos. Resultados: la escritura auto-biográfica cumple una función positiva en el duelo de las mujeres al contribuir a procesos como: ordenar narrativamente el caos provocado por la violencia, nombrar y trabajar las pérdidas, dotar de sentidos íntimos y sociales al dolor y reconstruir las relaciones con lo perdido, con el mundo y consigo mismas. Conclusión: la escritura es un recurso valioso para avanzar en el duelo, a la manera de un ritual de despedida, ayuda a situar lo perdido en el ámbito de la memoria y a reconstruir la vida contando con la ausencia

The objective of the research was to understand the effects of autobiographical writing on the elaboration of grief, the subjective transformation and the construction of the memory of women victims of the armed conflict. This article focuses on the grief processes. Method: the approach was qualitative, the method was symbolic interactionism; a case study was made with a group of women participating in autobiographical writing processes; information was collected through semi-structured interviews, writing workshops and text selection. Results: Autobiographical writing plays a positive role in women's grief by contributing to processes such as: narrative order of chaos caused by violence, naming and working through losses, giving intimate and social meaning to pain, and reconstruction relationships with what was lost, with the world and with themselves. It is concluded that this kind of writing is a valuable resource to advance in mourning elaboration; in the manner of a farewell ritual it helps to situate the lost in the sphere of memory and to reconstruct life counting on absence

Significados y experiencias personales de perdón y reconciliación en mujeres víctimas y mujeres excombatientes de las FARC / Meanings and personal experiences of forgiveness and reconciliation in women who are victims and ex-combatents of the FARC

Este trabajo pretende comprender la experiencia subjetiva de mujeres víctimas y excombatientes de las FARC en torno al perdón y la reconciliación. Para ello, se realizó una investigación de corte cualitativo con enfoque fenomenológico-hermenéutico, basada en postulados de la psicología social crítica latinoamericana. Las técnicas para recolectar información fueron la observación participante, la entrevista en profundidad y los grupos de conversación, en donde participaron 8 víctimas y 4 excombatientes. Se realizó un análisis hermenéutico de contenido, identificando concepciones que las participantes tienen sobre perdón y reconciliación, identificando experiencias vividas. Uno de los principales hallazgos es que en el proceso para perdonar y reconciliarse, las participantes transforman su subjetividad, asumiendo reivindicar sus derechos ante el Estado y redescubriendo su humanidad después de la guerra; finalmente, las excombatientes cam-bian las armas por palabras

This work aims to understand the subjective experience of women victims and women ex-combatants of the FARC, around forgiveness and reconciliation. For this purpose, a qualitative research was conducted with a phenomenological-hermeneutic approach, based on postulates of Latin American critical social psychology. The techniques to collect information were participant observation, in-depth interview and conversation groups, in which 8 victims and 4 ex-combatants participated. a hermeneutical analysis of content was carried out, identifying conceptions that the participants have about forgiveness and reconciliation, identifying lived experiences. One of the main findings is that, in the process of forgiving and reconciling, the participants transform their subjectivity, assuming to restore their rights before the State and rediscovering their humanity after the war. Finally, ex-combatants change weapons for words

Smoking habits and the influence of war on cigarette and shisha smoking in Syria.

Tobacco smoking might be impacted by various influences, including psychological, socio-cultural, and economic factors. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Syrian Arab Republic from March to April 2019 using a web-based questionnaire. The survey aimed at assessing tobacco use (shisha and cigarettes) as well as examining the association between current tobacco use and various sociodemographic and war-related factors. The sample comprised 978 participants (251 males: 727 females) and had a mean age of 24.7 years (SD: 7.60). Most participants were single (n = 825, 84.4%), reside in Damascus and Rif-Dimashq (n = 579, 59.2%), and had a college/university education (n = 911, 93.1%). Concerning smoking, a total of 371 participants (37.9%) were identified to be current tobacco smokers, of whom 211, 84, 76 were exclusive shisha smokers, exclusive cigarette smokers, and dual smokers, respectively. The prevalence of cigarette smoking (exclusive and dual) among males and females was found to be 34.7%, and 10.0%, respectively. On the other hand, the prevalence of shisha smoking (exclusive and dual) among males and females was around 34.3% and 27.6%, respectively. Additionally, various factors have predicted a higher likelihood of cigarette smoking including male gender (AOR = 4.152; 95% CI: 2.842-6.064; p<0.001), and losing someone due to the war (AOR = 1.487; 95% CI: 1.028-2.151; p = 0.035), while unemployed individuals were found to have lower odds of being cigarette smokers (AOR = 0.634; 95% CI: 0.429-0.937; p = 0.022). Concerning shisha smoking, married (AOR = 0.622; 95% CI: 0.402-0.963; p = 0.033), and unemployed individuals (AOR = 0.679; 95% CI: 0.503-0.916; p = 0.011) were found to have lower odds of shisha smoking. Amid the tobacco epidemic in the region, rates of tobacco use in Syria are still worrying. The Syrian armed conflicts may possess a double-edged effect on smoking, and tobacco users who adopt smoking to cope with various stressors should be targeted with well-structured health education, along with appropriate psychological services.

Caracterización y posibles trastornos en la implementación de las habilidades sociales en universitarios víctimas del conflicto armado en Boyacá, Colombia / Characterization and possible disorders in the implementation of social skills in university students'

El objetivo de esta investigación fue caracterizar las habilidades sociales de los universitarios víctimas del conflicto armado colombiano en Boyacá, Colombia. Los participantes fueron la totalidad de estudiantes de un programa de pregrado que reportaron exposición al conflicto armado, matriculados para el 2018 en una institución universitaria de carácter privado del municipio de Tunja, departamento Boyacá. Se empleó el método estudio de caso, mediante el cual se analizaron entrevistas a profundidad y diarios de campo en el contexto educativo. Los resultados muestran afectaciones significativas en las habilidades sociales en los cuatro grupos que la conforman según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS): comunicación, empatía, asertividad y trabajo en equipo. Este estudio permitió demostrar la relevancia que tienen las habilidades sociales en diversos escenarios y cómo pueden verse afectadas por fenómenos de orden social como el conflicto armado colombiano. El diagnóstico puso en evidencia la importancia que tiene la psicología social en el contexto educativo hacia la prevención, tratamiento y evaluación de factores psicosociales que afectan la calidad de vida del individuo y grupo en el que se encuentra inmerso.

The objective of this research was to characterize the social skills of university students' victims of the Colombian armed conflict in Boyacá, Colombia. The participants were the totality of students who reported exposure to the armed conflict of an undergraduate program, enrolled for 2018 in a private university institution in the municipality of Tunja, Boyacá department. The case study method was used, through which in-depth interviews and field diaries in the educational context were analyzed. The results show significant affectations in social skills in the four groups according to the World Health Organization (WHO): communication, empathy, assertiveness and teamwork. This study demonstrated the relevance of social skills in different scenarios and how they can be affected by social phenomena such as the Colombian armed conflict. The diagnosis highlighted the importance of social psychology in the educational context for the prevention, treatment and evaluation of psychosocial factors that affect the quality of life of the individual and the group in which he/she is immersed.

El papel de las emociones en los procesos de resistencia civil no armada y construcción de paz en Medellín / The role of emotions in the processes of unloved civil resistance and peace building in medellín

El presente artículo parte de un diálogo entre la filosofía, la ciencia política y la mirada psicosocial para analizar el papel que los líderes de la ciudad de Medellín atribuyen a las emociones en los procesos de resistencia civil no armada y construcción comunitaria de paz. La investigación asumió una mirada cualitativa bajo el método de la narración testimonial para acceder a la perspectiva de los participantes. Los resultados evidencian que las emociones adquieren una dimensión política asociada a vertientes subjetivas del cuidado, el amor, la alegría, como también del miedo, la ira, la vergüenza y la desconfianza, que, en conjunto, participan en procesos de resistencia civil no armada y construcción de paz en la ciudad de Medellín.

This article is based on a dialogue between philosophy, political science and the psychosocial perspective, to analyze the role that leaders in the city of Medellín attribute to emotions in the processes of unarmed civil resistance and community peace building. The research assumed a qualitative approach under the method of testimonial narration to access the participants' perspective. The results show that emotions acquire a political dimension, associated with subjective aspects of care, love, joy, as well as fear, anger, shame and mistrust, which, together, participate in processes of unarmed civil resistance and peace building in the city of Medellin.

Habilidades para la vida en jóvenes que han sido víctimas del conflicto armado en Colombia / Life skills in young people who have been victims of armed Conflict in Colombia

El enfoque de Habilidades para la Vida (Hpv) es una iniciativa de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (who, 1993) surgido de la integración de varias teorías que explican el desarrollo humano y social. Este estudio transversal tuvo como objetivo describir el desempeño autoreportado de las habilidades para la vida en jóvenes víctimas del conflicto armado interno en Colombia. Participaron 35 jóvenes de 18 a 25 años (m = 21.91, dt = 0.48) de los cuales el 67.5 % eran mujeres. Los participantes han sido víctimas del conflicto armado interno en Colombia, residían en varios municipios del país y estaban vinculados a un programa de fortalecimiento emocional. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y se evalúo el desempeño autoreportado con base en la media de respuesta por factor de la escala de habilidades para la vida. Los resultados evidenciaron un nivel más alto de desarrollo autoreportado en las habilidades de comunicación asertiva, y manejo de tensiones y estrés. En contraste, se observaron niveles bajos de competencia en las habilidades de solución de problemas y conflictos, empatía, y manejo de sentimientos y emociones. Se discute la necesidad de desarrollar investigaciones y programas de intervención en habilidades para la vida en personas que han sufrido las consecuencias negativas del conflicto armado.

The Life Skills (LS) approach is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), which arises from the integration of various theories that explain human and social development. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the self-reported performance of life skills in young victims of the internal armed conflict in Colombia. 35 young people between 18 and 25 years old participated (M = 21.91, SD = 0.48) of which 67.5% were women. The participants have been victims of the internal armed conflict in Colombia, they live in several municipalities of the country and were linked to an emotional strengthening program. Descriptive analyses were carried out and self-reported performance was evaluated based on the mean response by each factor of the life skills scale. The results showed a higher level of self-reported development in assertive communication skills, and stress and tension management. In contrast, low levels of competence were observed in problem and conflict solving skills, empathy, and handling of feelings and emotions. The need to develop research and intervention programs in life skills in people who have suffered the negative consequences of the armed conflict is discussed.

Allergic Rhinitis and Its Epidemiological Distribution in Syria: A High Prevalence and Additional Risks in War Time.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global disease that affects a huge proportion of people around the world especially in the Middle East, where multiple allergy-promoting factors can be found. Although AR is not fatal, it severely affects the quality of life. However, it is usually overlooked in developing countries due to resource scarcity. METHODS: An online questionnaire on social media was used which included demographics, smoking, socioeconomic-status (SES), war-related questions, and the score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR), a simple self-reporting tool with the cut-off point at 7. Findings. This study included 968 subjects with 721 (74.5%) females. The mean age was 24.69 years with AR prevalence at 47.9%. AR was associated with male gender [P = 0.001 (OR, 1.677; 95% CI 1.249-2.253)], having a job [P = 0.049 (OR, 1.309; 95% CI 1.001-1.713)], the having a chronic medical condition (P < 0.0001) mainly other allergies [P < 0.0001 (OR, 9.199; 95% CI 3.836-22.063)] and asthma [P = 0.006 (OR, 5.060; 95% CI 1.396-18.342)], using medications (P < 0.0001) and living in particular provinces (P = 0.010). However, no significant correlation was found with type of work and war factors except being distressed by war sounds [P = 0.027 (OR, 1.348; 95% CI 1.034-1.757)]. Finally, no associations were found with age, consanguinity, SES, educational level, and cigarette or/and shisha smoking (P > 0.05). Interpretation. Approximately half of the sample displayed AR symptoms, indicating a potentially high burden of AR in the community. A correlation to being distressed from war noises was found with AR which could reflect a psychological aspect. In addition, in war harmful allergens are released which can be an additional AR risk factor which adds to the environment in the Middle East that is associated with AR. However, we need further studies to discover and minimize this huge prevalence of AR.

Estamos em guerra: da retórica ao enfrentamento num cotidiano militarizado / Estamos en guerra: de la retórica al enfrentamiento en un cotidiano militarizado / We are at war: from rethorics to confrontation in a militarized society

RESUMO. A partir da problemática da violência que nos 'toma por assalto' na contemporaneidade, faremos uma reflexão sobre o contexto brasileiro tendo por instrumento teórico a analítica das relações de poder empreendida por Michel Foucault no curso Em defesa da sociedade, ministrado no Collège de France, em 1976. Buscaremos sustentar neste artigo a hipótese de que a política de segurança pública adotada pelo Estado do Rio de Janeiro não é uniforme, e as forças despendidas em nome da paz, do projeto de pacificação, distribuem-se de forma desigual entre a população. Esse pressuposto nos arremessa em uma questão que entendemos ser fundamental para a compreensão do presente, a saber, quais os mecanismos, táticas e técnicas que asseguram ao poder de Estado o uso da força e da violência contra os seus próprios cidadãos?

RESUMEN. A partir de la problemática de la violencia que nos 'toma por asalto' en la contemporaneidad, haremos una reflexión sobre el contexto brasileño, amparados en el instrumental teórico y analítico de las relaciones de poder formulado por Michel Foucault en el curso Em defesa da sociedade,ofrecido en el Collège de France, en 1976. Buscaremos mostrar la hipótesis según la cual la política de seguridad pública adoptada por el Estado de Río de Janeiro no es uniforme y que las fuerzas desplegadas en nombre de la paz, del proyecto de pacificación, se distribuyen en forma desigual entre la población. Este presupuesto nos sitúa em una cuestión que consideramos fundamental para la compresión de nuestro presente: ¿cuáles son los mecanismos, tácticas y técnicas que aseguran al poder del Estado el uso de la fuerza y de la violencia en contra de sus propios ciudadanos?

ABSTRACT. From the problematic of violence that 'assaults us' in contemporary times, we offer a reflection on the Brazilian context, taking as a theoretical instrument the analysis of power relations addressed by Michel Foucault in his lecture Em defesa da sociedade, at the Collège de France, in 1976. The present study aimed to advocate the hypothesis that the public security policies adopted by the Rio de Janeiro State are not uniform, and that the forces used in the name of peace, the pacification process, are unequally distributed across the population. This premise throws us into a question that we understand to be fundamental to the understanding of the present, namely, what are the mechanisms, tactics and techniques that ensure state power to use force and violence against its own citizens?

APPLICATION OF ART THERAPY FOR CORRECTION OF PERSONAL DISORDERS OF PSYCHOEMOTIONAL STATE OF CHILDREN - INHABITANTS OF RADIATION POLLUTED TERRITORIES AND CHILDREN DISPLACED FROM THE ARMED CONFLICT ON THE SOUTHERN EAST OF UKRAINE. / ZASTOSUVANNIa ART-TERAPIÏ DLIa KOREKTsIÏ PORUShEN' PSYKhOEMOTsIY̆NOGO STANU DITEY̆-MEShKANTsIV RADIOAKTYVNO ZABRUDNENYKh TERYTORIY̆ TA DITEY̆, PEREMIShchENYKh IZ ZONY ZBROY̆NOGO KONFLIKTU NA PIVDENNOMU SKhODI UKRAÏNY.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the psycho-emotional state of children - residents of radioactively contaminated territories and children displaced from the zone of armed conflict in the south-east of Ukraine, and evaluate the effectiveness of art therapy application to correct its disturbances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The psycho-emotional state was determined in 113 children, of which 57 children from radioactively contaminated territories with 137Cs content in the body from 269 Bq to 7024 Bq (group I) and 56 chil- dren displaced from the zone of military conflict in the Southeast of Ukraine (group II). The age of children ranged from 10 to 17 years. The children were hospitalized to the childrens' clinics of the NRCRM because of functional dis- orders and chronic somatic pathology. The psycho-emotional state of children was evaluated using the «non-exis- tent animal¼ test. It was analyzed for three symptoms - anxiety, aggressiveness and neuropsychiatric exhaustion and was evaluated by scoring points. Correction of the psychoemotional condition was carried out by the method of art therapy in the form of a serial drawing. Psychological testing was performed twice: at admission to the hospital and after the end of the art therapy. RESULTS: The results of the primary examination of the psycho-emotional state of children by the «non-existent ani- mal¼ test showed that in children - residents of radioactively contaminated territories the state of anxiety was reg- istered in all 57 children (100 %), the state of aggression - in 38 children (66.7%); exhaustion - in 37 children (64.9 %). In children who have been displaced from the zone of armed conflict in the south-east of Ukraine, the state of anxiety was also registered in all 56 children (100 %), the status of aggression was determined in 53 chil- dren (94.6 %), and the state of exhaustion - in 44 children (78.6 %). It was established that in children displaced from the combat zone in the Southeast of Ukraine, the quantitative indices of anxiety and aggression states were sig- nificantly higher than in children living in radioactively contaminated territories (p < 0.001), whereas nor by frequen- cy, nor by the degree of severity of exhaustion state they did not clearly differ (p > 0.05). Correlation analysis with the definition of Spearman's criterion did not reveal likely association between the content of 137Cs in the body of children - residents of radioactively contaminated territories and the peculiarities of their psycho-emotional state. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the art therapy method in the form of a serial drawing for children - residents of radioac- tively contaminated territories and children moved from the combat zone in the south-east of Ukraine, led to a sig- nificant positive effect, which was characterized by a decrease in the manifestations of symptoms of anxiety and aggressiveness. The state of exhaustion was less well corrected and its indices only had a tendency to improve. Thus, the method of art therapy in the form of a serial drawing is characterized by efficiency, simplicity of execution, low cost, it can be widely used in children's teams to correct disorders of the psycho-emotional state.

The Association of Catechol-O-Methyl-Transferase and Interleukin 6 Gene Polymorphisms with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

BACKGROUND: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disorder that occurs in some people who have experienced a severe traumatic event. Several genetic studies suggest that gene encoding proteins of catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) may be relevant for the pathogenesis of PTSD. Some researchers suggested that the elevation of interleukin-6 (IL6) correlates with major depression and PTSD. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms COMT rs4680 (Val158Met) and IL6 rs1800795 are associated with PTSD and contribute to the severity of PTSD symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study comprised 747 participants that experienced war between 1991 and 1999 in the South Eastern Europe conflicts. COMT rs4680 (Val158Met) and IL6 rs1800795 genotypes were determined in 719 participants (369 with and 350 without PTSD). The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.), the Clinician Administrated PTSD Scale (CAPS) questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) were used for data collection. RESULTS: Regarding the COMT gene polymorphism, the results of the regression analyses for BSI total score were significant in the lifetime PTSD group in the dominant (P=0.031) and the additive allelic model (P=0.047). Regarding the IL6 gene, a significant difference was found for the recessive model predicting CAPS total score in the lifetime PTSD group (P=0.048), and indicated an association between the C allele and higher CAPS scores. n the allelic, genotypic and rezessive model, the results for BSI total score were significant in the lifetime PTSD group (P=0.033, P=0.028 and P=0.009), suggesting a correlation of the C allele with higher BSI scores. CONCLUSION: Although our nominally significant results did not withstand correction for multiple tests they may support a relevance of the COMT (Val158Met) and IL6 rs1800795 polymorphism for aspects of PTSD in war traumatized individuals.

Elderly and forced displacement in Colombia / Vejez y deplazamiento forzado en Colombia

Abstract Objective: To describe the experiences of older adults around forced displacement due to the Colombian armed conflict. Methods: Interpretive-comprehensive study, with a hermeneutical approach; several types of sampling were carried out. The participants were 12 people aged over 60 years, who reported having being displaced and who participated in the SABE Colombia Survey. The data were encoded using the Atlas.ti software. A process of condensation of central analytical, support and emerging categories was made. Results: The displacement generated by the armed conflict has been decisive in the current life conditions of the participants. They know that they are survivors of someone else's violence; there is dislocation, loss of territory, de-anchoring, lack of protection and insecurity. To the stigma of old age, it is added being displaced and being strangers in a place where they don't belong. They live the violent uprooting of their lands and the confusion of their identity; they found themselves in a foreign scene where they were the unusual and the strangers; from receiving threats, they passed to be labeled as 'threatening'. This forced displacement stems from violence, but also from fear, and it marks the trajectory of life for older people who experience a prolonged struggle for survival in often hostile environments, living "permanently" displaced. Conclusion: When there is displacement, older people are not only shed of their land and their home, but also from their cosmos and their vital referents; in addition, it changes their life trajectory and their place in the world. Interventions should be designed based on specific particular and contextual analyses.

Resumen Objetivo: Describir las vivencias y experiencias de adultos mayores en torno al desplazamiento forzado por efectos del conflicto armado. Métodos: Estudio interpretativo-comprensivo, con un enfoque hermenéutico. Los participantes fueron 12 personas mayores de 60 años que reportaron haber sido desplazadas y que participaron en de la Encuesta SABE Colombia. Los datos se codificaron utilizando el software Atlas.ti. Se hizo un proceso de condensación de categorías analíticas centrales, de soporte y emergentes. Resultados: El desplazamiento generado por el conflicto armado ha sido decisivo en las actuales condiciones de vida de los participantes. Saben que son sobrevivientes de una violencia ajena, hay desubicación, desterritorializacion, desanclaje, desprotección, inseguridad. Al estigma de la vejez se le suma el ser desplazados y extraños en un lugar donde no tienen lugar. Viven el desarraigo violento de sus tierras, la confusión de su identidad, se encontraron en un escenario ajeno donde ellos eran los raros y los extraños, de recibir amenazas pasaron al señalamiento de ser amenazantes. Este desplazamiento forzado nace de la violencia, pero también del miedo y marca la trayectoria de vida a las personas mayores quienes experimentan una prolongada lucha por la supervivencia en entornos a menudo hostiles, viven desplazados "permanentemente". Conclusión: Cuando hay desplazamiento, las personas mayores no solo se despojan de su tierra, de su casa, sino de su cosmos, de sus referentes vitales y se modifica su trayectoria de vida y su lugar en el mundo. Las intervenciones deben ser diseñadas basadas en análisis particulares y contextuales específicos.