A questionnaire survey (N = 247) investigated the influence of identification with the Rwandan nation on reconciliation sentiments between members of the survivor and of the non-victim groups of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Results showed that, whereas the two groups did not differ in their level of identification with the nation, members of the non-victim group were more willing to reconcile than members of the survivor group. Perceived intergroup similarity mediated the effect of national identification on reconciliation sentiment for both groups, but this effect was stronger among non-victims. Finally, self-esteem during commemorations also mediated this effect, but only among non-victims. We discuss the importance of people’s motivation to reconcile with out-group members in post-genocidal contexts in light of the common in-group identity model (Gaertner & Dovidio, 2000) as well as the needs-based model of intergroup reconciliation (Nadler & Schnabel, 2008).
Studying what factors influence the ability to resonate with the pain of others in the aftermath of a genocide and how this extends to the following generation is critical to better understand the perpetuation of conflicts. In the present study conducted in Rwanda, we recruited former genocide perpetrators and survivors, and their respective children and investigated how their neural response to the pain of others is modulated when they visualized pictures of former perpetrators or survivors, or their offspring. We further evaluated how the impact of the genocide and psychological factors associated with trauma influenced the results. Results showed that the intergroup empathy bias-that is, a reduced neural response to the pain of the outgroup-is present for both individuals alive during the genocide and their offspring. We also observed that a higher number of stressors experienced during the genocide was associated with a higher reduction of the neural response to the pain of others, even toward the children of one's own ingroup. Finally, we observed that a deliberate and free decision to reconcile is associated with a higher neural response to the pain of others. The results may be central to encouraging reconciliation in peacebuilding programs and to fostering empathic repair after trauma.
Background
Stunting affects more than 161 million children under five years of age worldwide. Rwanda has a high prevalence of stunted children under five years of age (~38%) according to the 2014-2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to compare the prevalence rates of stunting in Rwanda using the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey data of 2005, 2010 and 2014-2015.
Methods
The three Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey cross-sectional studies into consideration were conducted in 2005, 2010 and in 2014-2015. Stunting prevalence rates from those surveys were compared using Pearson's chi-squared tests and Marascuilo procedure using STATA (StataCorp. 2013. Stata Statistical Software: Release 13. College Station, TX: StataCorp LP.).
Results
The Pearson's chi-squared tests and Marascuilo procedure used in this research confirmed a significant difference between the reported three RDHS stunting prevalence rates. The trends in the stunting prevalence rates among children under five years of age showed a decrease of 13% in stunting prevalence rate, falling from 51%in 2005 to 38%in 2014-15.
Conclusion
A statistical analysis based on2005, 2010 and 2014-15 RDHS surveys datasets confirmed that there is a statistically significant reduction in stunting prevalence rates over that decade(from 51% in 2005 to 38%in 2014-2015). The main persistent associated factors with stunting were the age, sex, size at birth, residence place of the child, and the mother’s educational level and household wealth index.
Keywords: Stunting; children under five years; demographic and health survey; nutrition; Rwanda
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