Examines children’s perceptions of health when they have been exposed to violence as a result of war or living with battered mothers. Study participants were divided into 2 groups: teenaged children who had fled with their families to Canada from such war-torn countries as Bosnia and Somalia; and teenagers whose mothers were victims of domestic violence. The children were asked questions about their experiences of violence and also their perspectives on health. The second line of questioning revealed 4 categories of what health means: not being sick; being able to do what you want to do; being mentally healthy and happy; and just getting through the day. Findings support previous research demonstrating that living in a violent environment has a profound influence on how children experience health; moreover, adolescents understood that health and violence are incompatible. Intervention strategies employed by nurses and other care providers should involve: (1) listening to children in a nonjudgmental manner; (2) respecting children and recognizing their strengths; (3) trying nontraditional approaches with culturally diverse children; and (4) conveying age-appropriate understandings of the political and social contexts of violence. Long-term strategies include lobbying for laws and policies to ensure the well-being of children who witness violence. (Description from source)
