The mental health prognosis of offspring born of genocidal rape is influenced by family members, the community and their perceptions toward them.

BACKGROUND: There is little known about the family and community maltreatment of the offspring born of the genocidal rape and the offspring's self-perceptions and how they influence their recovery from mental health problems. This study aimed to examine how the mental health prognosis of these offspring could be influenced by the family or community perceptions and attitudes toward them and their self-perception and coping strategies. METHODS: Thirty-two semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted on 16 dyads of mothers and their offspring who were selected from countrywide. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatims that were analysed inductively using thematic analysis within the NVivo 12 software. RESULTS: Participants reported long-term psychological and psychosomatic consequences stemming from being born of genocidal rape. Notably, family and community maltreatment of the offspring and their self-perception exacerbated psychological distress and affected their capacity to recover. The majority of the offspring were using coping strategies such as sole collaboration with peers with the same history, efforts to hide their birth history, social Isolation (silence, untrusting, involvement in media etc), hardworking, reversed roles in the parental relationship, extreme involvement in praying, and harmful alcohol use. CONCLUSION: Given the documented detrimental effects of individual, family and community attitudes and perceptions on psychological, and psychosomatic symptoms as well as the offspring coping strategies, culturally relevant mental health interventions are required to support the well-being and social reintegration of individuals born of genocidal rape while minimizing stigma and their maladaptive coping strategies.

Perceptions of the Intervention Utility and Effectiveness in Supporting and Reintegrating Youths Born of Genocidal Rape in Rwanda.

Background: Birth through genocidal rape has a detrimental impact on the health of the offspring; however, there is scarce literature that focuses on efforts to support and reintegrate people born of this crime due to the lack of needs assessments that can inform policies and interventions. Objective: This study sought to explore perceptions of the intervention utility and effectiveness in supporting and reintegrating offspring born of the 1994 genocidal rape against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Methods: A purposive sample of 16 dyads of non-partnered mothers raped in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and their offspring participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. The transcribed interview verbatims were uploaded to NVivo 12 and analyzed inductively using thematic analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in several subthemes that were grouped into four main themes based on research questions. These themes included the reconstruction of a positive image (ie, hardworking, contribution to the community, supporting vulnerable people, etc.), the benefits of collaborating with peers in a similar situation (ie, a sense of belonging, self-acceptance, relieving distress and emotional pain, etc.), the support obtained from Survivors Fund Rwanda (ie, psychosocial support, financial support for school fees, support to get a job), and the intervention and strategies needed (ie, continuous psychosocial support, catch-up learning programs, accompaniment support, advocacy to get a job, supporting the parents, etc.). Conclusion: Our results highlight how the youth born of genocidal rape are reconstructing a positive image and self-advocacy, their perception of obtained support, and the recommended intervention. These findings will help in initiating or strengthening interventions targeting this population, especially strategies to support and reintegrate them.