A STUDY ON POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS SYMPTOMS, SENSE OF SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND PREFERRED COPING STRATEGY AMONG ARMED CONFLICT EXPOSED YOUTHS IN MANIPUR

Abstract

Manipur armed conflict has been there for decades but the exposed populations have not been addressed well. This is the first research to be studied from psychological point of view. An exploratory study was carried out which looks into the prevalence of  Post-traumatic stress symptoms, sense of social support and preferred coping strategy among armed conflict exposed youths in Manipur born in 90s (1990-1999) as the armed conflict was at peak during this time period with the imposition of AFSPA (Armed forces special powers act) on 8^th September, 1980 which gives unlimited rights to Indian armed forces, then the rise of insurgency movement and counter-insurgency in the state. A sample of 100 youths answered self-report questionnaires through google forms along with consent form which includes PTSD checklist PCL-5, Sense of social support, Coping strategy scale (COPE). On statistical analysis, the results showed that There were no significant differences among armed conflict exposed male and female youths on the prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms. There were no significant differences among armed conflict exposed male and female youths in sense of social support. There was a correlation between post-traumatic stress symptoms and social support (r=.402**, p<0.01 level) and in simple linear regression analysis, there shows a significant impact of sense of social support on post-traumatic stress symptoms. The most preferred coping strategy by male youths is positive reinterpretation of coping and the most preferred coping strategy by female youths is also positive reinterpretation of coping.