Abstract

MATAJIRA CAMACHO, YEFERSON JAHIR et al. Meanings of armed conflict in adolescents, youth and older adults in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Psicol. caribe [online]. 2019, vol.36, n.3, pp.346-376. ISSN 0123-417X.  https://doi.org/10.14482/psdc.36.3.303.7.

The implications of the armed conflict are dependent upon the proximity to the conflict and the unique experiences that populations have in the face of the conflict. The present study had the objective of exploring the significance of the armed conflict for 22 adolescents and youth and for 20 older adults in Bucaramanga. Using a qualitative design, a phenomenological focus, and convenience sampling, researchers carried out an in-depth interview and constructed a focus group. The results yielded categories regarding perception, knowledge, valuation, and ideas of solutions. Researchers found that older adults refer to facts regarding the conflict more often, in comparison to adolescents and youth. In relation to the valuation of the conflict, both groups perceive it as something atrocious and unjust. Both groups also noted that guerrilla groups such as the FARC, the ELN, and M-19 generated these crimes. Corruption was also highlighted within the participants' interviews. Respect to solutions to the armed conflict, dialogue stood out as a principal solution. From these results, researchers conclude that differences exist between the two generations in terms of the significance of the armed conflict. Older adults demonstrate greater strength in their interviews regarding the conflict, in comparison to adolescents and youth. However, the impact of the conflict on the youth population influences their perception of reality.

Keywords : elderly; armed conflict; young; meanings.

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