Assessing psychological resilience in a population of Colombians exposed to trauma and armed conflict

This thesis examines resilience among Colombian civilians exposed to trauma from armed conflict and other potentially traumatising events (PTEs). Using a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates findings from a Delphi study, a systematic literature review, a qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), and a quantitative hierarchical regression.

The aim was to advance understanding of how resilience is defined, its role in psychopathological outcomes, and to qualitatively and quantitatively explore post-traumatic resilience in a sample of Colombian civilians.<br><br>The Delphi study engaged 22 experts from diverse professional backgrounds to establish consensus on definitions and debates surrounding post-traumatic resilience. Findings supported resilience as a dynamic, multifactorial process rather than a fixed trait, though consensus proved difficult across several items, reflecting enduring disagreements in the field.<br><br>A systematic review of 15 studies from South America highlighted resilience as a protective factor against PTSD and depression following PTE exposure, while evidence regarding anxiety remained limited and inconclusive.<br><br>The IPA component provided qualitative insights into Colombian civilians' lived experiences, identifying resilience as an evolving process shaped by personal growth, social support, and coping strategies.