The unseen scars: prolonged grief among families of soldiers in Debark Town, North Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Following the Northern Ethiopian conflict, many families in Debark Town, North Gondar, Ethiopia, are experiencing prolonged grief due to the disappearance of loved ones. The lived experiences of these families remain largely unexplored.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of families whose loved ones, soldiers, went missing.

METHODS

Six female participants were selected purposively for semi-structured interviews. The data were transcribed, translated, and thematically analyzed using Van Manen's four existential life world categories.

FINDINGS: The study revealed significant psychosomatic distress, including physical and emotional health issues, social isolation, and disrupted family dynamics. Socioeconomic hardships worsened their suffering, and a lack of mental health support led to negative coping strategies. Participants expressed a strong need for counseling and psychiatric services.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged grief following a loved one's disappearance is uniquely overwhelming and more complex than traditional grief. Future research should include diverse populations to explore the issue further.