1. 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

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. % 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)

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

10. 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

11. Concluding comments
High violence areas
Perceptions of victimhood

12. Thank-you