ArticleBMC psychology2025
"The unheard adversity": the lived experiences of socially isolated survivors of wartime sexual assault.
Article in BMC psychology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionWar has a profound impact on women, leading to gang rape, sexual violence, and the deliberate destruction of healthcare facilities, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of socially isolated survivors of sexual assault during the war in North Wollo Zone, Amhara, Ethiopia.
methodsA qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach was used to achieve the study's objectives. Study participants were recruited using purposive sampling. A total of 25 participants were involved. Data was collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews. The data were transcribed, coded, organized, and then analyzed and interpreted using thematic analysis.
resultsThe results of this study reveal that socially isolated women who survived sexual assault during wartime often experienced abuse, segregation, and demoralization. Furthermore, these survivors faced significant psychological and social challenges, including feelings of helplessness, isolation, loss of dignity, and diminished self-confidence. Coping strategies identified by the participants included placing trust in God, seeking guidance from religious leaders, sharing their experiences with friends, elders, and experts, and participating in coffee ceremonies as a means of communal support.
conclusionThe trauma of war-related sexual violence has led to significant psychological, physical, and health impacts. Survivors report high levels of isolation, degradation, and mistreatment. Given service disruptions, international support is crucial, and adopting successful approaches from other countries is recommended. Comprehensive rehabilitation services from governmental and non-governmental agencies are essential for supporting these vulnerable individuals.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.