Civil conflict in Northern Ireland and the prevalence of psychiatric disturbance across the United Kingdom Dr Helen Murphy University of East London & Dr Katrina Lloyd Queen’s University Belfast

Conclusion and commentary Civil conflict in Northern Ireland and the prevalence of psychiatric disturbance across the United Kingdom Background Method Results Conclusion and commentary

Civil conflict in Northern Ireland and the prevalence of psychiatric disturbance across the United Kingdom Civil conflict and low intensity warfare in Northern Ireland since 1969 Substantial evidence to suggest that individuals directly involved in warfare display psychiatric disturbance

Shell-shock Neurasthenia Combat stress Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Psychological impact of low intensity warfare on civilians Civil conflict in Northern Ireland and the prevalence of psychiatric disturbance across the United Kingdom Psychological impact of low intensity warfare on civilians Some Northern Ireland studies have found that increased anxiety, sleep disturbances, poor general health, increased medication rates, increased alcohol consumption and PTSD symptoms are associated with objective measures of violence or perceptions of violence General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) scores tend to be higher in Northern Ireland compared to other UK regions

Method 17,343 respondents from across the 4 regions of the United Kingdom – England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland – taking part in the British Household Panel Survey in 2001 The GHQ-12 was used to measure psychiatric disturbance Data were weighted to take account of differences in selection probabilities across the United Kingdom

Results Region Mean SE 95% CI Wales 11.54 .143 11.26-11.82 Northern Ireland 11.41 .110 11.19-11.62 Scotland 11.17 .118 10.93-11.40 England 11.02 .073 10.88-11.17 United Kingdom 11.06 .062 10.93-11.18 F=5.04, df=3, p<0.01, R2 =0.0012

% respondents scoring 4+ on the GHQ-12 Results Region % respondents scoring 4+ on the GHQ-12 Wales 23.0% Northern Ireland 19.7% Scotland 19.5% England 19.2% United Kingdom X2 (p<0.05)

Conclusion & Commentary Results suggest that some individuals in Northern Ireland may develop symptoms of stress, anxiety and/or trauma but whole populations may not

Coping strategies to deal with ‘the Troubles’? Habituation, denial, positive reappraisal of negative events, distancing Misinterpretation or under-reporting of psychological symptoms Church attendance & religiosity, social cohesion, catharsis, selective migration

Concluding comments High violence areas Perceptions of victimhood

Thank-you