War Violence Exposure, Reintegration Experiences and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among a Sample of War-Affected Females in Sierra Leone

Background: This study drew on prospective data to examine the contributions of potentially stigmatizing war violence exposures (i.e. witnessing, experiencing, and perpetrating violence, as well as experiencing sexual assault) and more recent post-conflict reintegration experiences (i.e. acceptance by family, peers and community) to IPV. To examine IPV, we investigated both victimization and perpetration with respect to three distinct forms of intimate violence: psychological, physical, and sexual. Specifically, the study set out to test the following hypotheses: first, that war violence exposure is associated with higher rates of both IPV victimization and perpetration; and second, that more positive reintegration experiences would be associated with lower rates of perpetrating and experiencing IPV.

Methods: Data from Wave III (when IPV variables were included) of a longitudinal study conducted in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Sierra Leone of war-affected females (N=98) were used for this analysis. Analysis was conducted using IBM’s SPSS Statistical Software. To test the relationships between IPV with wartime exposure and community reintegration, while controlling for differences in age and cohabitation, linear regression models with ordinary least squares (OLS) estimators were used. In addition to the hypotheses regarding the main effects of wartime exposure and community reintegration, potential moderation and mediation models were also tested.

Results: Regression models provide evidence of positive relationships between experiences of wartime violence and later IPV, both perpetration and victimization. As well, community reintegration was negatively associated with IPV. However, distinct relationships showed evidence of statistical significance with regard to both perpetration/victimization and distinct forms of IPV. Specifically, in regards to perpetration, those who reported higher rates of perpetrating violence during the war reported significantly higher rates of physical IPV later, b = .21, p = .030. As well, respondents who were currently living with a partner reported significantly lower rates of perpetrating both psychological and physical IPV, b = -.22, p = 041 and b = -.26, p = .012, respectively. In regards to sexual IPV, younger girls were more likely to perpetrate sexual violence. As well, sexual victimization during the war was negatively associated with perpetrating sexual IPV; meaning, those who experienced higher rates of sexual violence during the war were less likely to perpetrate sexual violence in their intimate relationships.

In regards to IPV victimization, those who perpetrated violence during the war were more likely to be psychologically victimized in their intimate relationships post-conflict. Similarly, perpetration of violence during the conflict was associated with higher rates of physical IPV victimization, b = .29, p = .004. Furthermore, age was negatively associated with sexual IPV victimization, b = -.10, p = .044. That is, younger girls reported higher rates of sexual assault, rape, and degradation among this sample.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate a clear association between war experiences and IPV both in regards to victimization and perpetration among war affected young women. Furthermore, the need to provide holistic services including mental health interventions, economic resources and policy changes for this marginalized group remains necessary post armed conflict.