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Posttraumatic Cognitions and Depressive Symptoms in War and Disaster Affected Widows in Sri Lanka: The Role of Community Support

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Abstract

In this study the authors evaluated the associations between war- and disaster-related problems and indicators of psychological distress (posttraumatic cognitions and culturally-specific symptoms of depression) among a sample of Tamil widows in the Eastern Provence of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, community support was evaluated as a mediator of these associations. Surveys were administered to women (N = 156) in an interview format by trained research assistants who were native Tamil speakers. Mediation hypotheses were evaluated using path analysis. Results showed that war-related problems, but not disaster-related losses, was significantly associated with community support and posttraumatic cognitions, such that higher number of war-problems was associated with lower community support and more posttraumatic cognitions. Community support had a significant negative association with posttraumatic cognitions and depression. Additionally, we found evidence that war-related problems was indirectly associated with depression through community support. Although the magnitude of associations was small, results suggest that contextual problems resulting from years of armed conflict may be associated with less support from one’s community which, in turn, is associated with increased psychological distress. Limitations and implications for intervention and future research are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology and Child Development Department, California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, CA, 95382, USA

    Jessica E. Lambert

  2. Couple and Family Therapy Programs, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA, USA

    Alyssa Banford Witting

  3. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA

    Shayne Anderson

  4. Department of Psychology, Kaatsu International University, Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Lakmal Ponnamperuma

  5. Clinical Psychology Graduate Program, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Thulitha Wickrama

Authors
  1. Jessica E. Lambert
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  2. Alyssa Banford Witting
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  3. Shayne Anderson
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  4. Lakmal Ponnamperuma
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  5. Thulitha Wickrama
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Correspondence to Jessica E. Lambert.

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Lambert, J.E., Witting, A.B., Anderson, S. et al. Posttraumatic Cognitions and Depressive Symptoms in War and Disaster Affected Widows in Sri Lanka: The Role of Community Support. Contemp Fam Ther 40, 259–265 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-017-9441-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-017-9441-y

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