Predictors of Somatic Symptomatology in War-Affected Youth in Northern Uganda: Findings from the WAYS Study

Abstract

War experiences have been shown to have adverse long-term psychological sequelae. Nevertheless, the roles of different types of war events in predicting which mental health outcomes remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of different types of war events and socio-demographic characteristics on somatic symptoms in war-affected youth in Northern Uganda. A sample of 539 youth (mean age = 22.39; ± 2.03) participated in the study. Using maximum likelihood estimation in structural equation modelling, regression analyses were fitted to relate binary indicators of different types of war events to one latent factor capturing somatic symptoms. The results indicated that sex, marital status, and war types of ‘‘direct personal harm’’, ‘‘deaths’’, and ‘‘sexual abuse’’ independently and uniquely predicted somatic symptoms. Types of war events should be considered when planning interventions. Somatic symptoms may be a window into physical health and psychological sequelae. Implications for mental health service delivery are discussed.