The Social Outcomes of Community-Based Sociotherapy for Refugees in Nakivale Settlements, Uganda

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Abstract

Community-Based Sociotherapy (CBS) is a psychosocial support intervention offered to refugees in Nakivale Settlements, Uganda. This intervention, organised by the local non-governmental organisation TPO Uganda, intends to support people in dealing with daily challenges in their lives, which have been disrupted by conflict and trauma. The participants originate from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Burundi, Rwanda, and DR Congo. Although community-based psychosocial support interventions are regularly implemented in a multitude of contexts, their impact is not well-studied compared to other mental health and psychosocial programmes. Studies have moreover principally looked at individual clinical outcomes, while other well-being and social outcomes are to be expected. Ultimately, the CBS approach wishes to (re)establish meaningful social relationships, strengthen social cohesion and rebuild social dignity in communities. This study aims to discover if these and other (possible) outcomes of CBS occur, to better understand the social change this intervention may bring. A longitudinal and mixed-method approach is used for this purpose, allowing us to study the longer term impact of the intervention, and the associations between individual and social factors (such as health and social contacts) that, according to the participants, determine their well-being and community life.

Authors

Tessa Ubels

Sara Kinsbergen

Jochem Tolsma

Dirk-Jan Koch