Psychological Needs of Post-War Children in Kosovo

Abstract

This study by the International Children's Institute, involved the administration of questionnaires to students (N = 182) and teachers (N = 33) in six Kosovar schools as part of a multi-instrument study concerning the coping skills of Kosovar children. Children in the study (most between 10-12 years of age) showed strong coping skills and resiliency despite adversity. Responses highlight students' closeness to their families, the importance they attribute to their parents' values of education, and the normal developmental need to socialize with other children side by side with some self-reported symptoms of stress. The role of schoo:l both as a teaching and learning agent, but also as a socialization agent, was demonstrated repeatedly. Students were concerned about academic attainment and socialization, whereas the teachers included significant data about student maladjustment, including withdrawal behaviour, acting out behaviour, psychosomatic reactions and stress. It would seem that the student responses reflect a broad range of strengths, issues and concerns. Some have to do with recovery from a period of stress and dislocation; others are similar to the hopes and anxieties of most children of that age group; while others may be more characteristic of the culture in which the students live.