Alicia Sharp
Research Mentor(s): Rebecca Rose
Department or Program: Department of Political Science
Authors: Alicia Sharp, Biz Herman PhD, Rebecca Rose PhD Student
Session: Session 2: 1:00pm-1:50pm
Poster: 49
Abstract
This project investigates the understudied phenomenon of trauma experienced by women during conflict, contributing to a literature predominantly focused on American male soldiers serving in wars overseas (Herman 1992; Daphna-Tekoah and Harel-Shalev 2017). This approach has largely overlooked the multiplicity of roles, unique experiences, and psychological consequences encountered by women in conflict. This project utilizes a dataset of over 120 oral histories of women who participated in six modern conflicts across the globe (Bangladesh, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Egypt, Northern Ireland, the United States, and Vietnam). We will analyze these semi-structured interviews using NVivo to examine how women’s experiences of war can complicate existing conceptions of trauma, as well as highlighting the heterogeneity of responses to potentially traumatic events (PTEs). Through these qualitative interviews, this study hopes to illuminate the nuanced ways in which women navigate and cope with trauma during and after periods of armed conflict. Ultimately, this project aims to provide insights that can inform post-conflict policies which are inclusive, addressing the diverse needs of all individuals affected by war.
