Explosive anger in postconflict Timor Leste: Interaction of socio-economic disadvantage and past human rights-related trauma

Abstract

BackgroundCountries emerging from major conflict commonly experience recurrent periods of communal instability. A psychosocial theory, Adaptation and Development after Persecution and Trauma (ADAPT), suggests that experiences of past human rights abuses interact with socio-economic disadvantage in the postconflict period to generate or maintain explosive forms of anger. Previous research has supported a link between trauma exposure and anger but the role of ongoing socio-economic disadvantage requires further clarification. MethodsThe present study examined a structural equation model based on cross-sectional epidemiological data (n=1245) collected in post-conflict Timor Leste in 2004. The model included four trauma dimensions derived from a prior factor analysis; a latent variable of post-conflict distress symptoms (derived from measures of PTSD and depression/anxiety); an index of socio-economic distress; and an indigenously-based measure of explosive anger. ResultsThe final model yielded a good fit (chi-square=26.59 df=20 p=0.15 CFI=0.99; TLI=0.99; RMSEA=0.016). Postconflict distress symptoms mediated the associations of trauma dimensions and socio-economic disadvantage with anger. Trauma dimensions associated with human rights violations and witnessing murder were partly mediated by ongoing socio-economic disadvantage in the path to postconflict distress and anger. LimitationsLongitudinal studies will be needed to confirm the chronological sequencing of these relationships. ConclusionsThe study offers empirical support for a link between past trauma related to human rights violations and ongoing socio-economic disadvantage in the path to distress and anger.