About This Project

This research investigates the enduring impact of childhood exposure to violence on bilateral intimate partner violence in Northern Uganda where thousands of boys and girls were abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army during childhood. My current survey shows that the abduction status of both partners matters for household violence. To understand the mechanisms, I will conduct lab-in-the-field experiments to examine self-control, patience, retaliation, and empathy.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

I focus on the Acholi region of Northern Uganda, a unique setting where both men and women were violently abducted into an insurgent army to become child soldiers, forced laborers, or unconsenting brides. More than 25,000 children were taken at random from their homes between 1986-2006 by the Lord’s Resistance Army. When the war concluded, those abducted were freed and expected to reintegrate into their villages with little outside assistance.

What is the significance of this project?

This work underscores the intricate interplay between early exposure to violence and subsequent intimate relationships, shedding light on the complex dynamics shaping patterns of IPV following experiences of childhood trauma.

What are the goals of the project?

The goal of this project is to better understand the mechanisms driving extremely high rates of IPV. My existing survey shows evidence that exposure to war violence matters and adding these experiments will help to explain why this may be the case. The games will look into patterns of self-control, patience, retaliation, and empathy that may alter the way partners interact.