Description
Understanding the psychological effects of conflict on people requires considering the complexity of social and structural factors (Muldoon et al., 2016). One of these determining factors is the subjective appraisal of the incident and of one’s perceived ability to cope with the consequential stress and impending threat (Lazarus & Folkman, 1984; Leach, 2020). From a social psychological perspective, the appraisal is also situated in and structured by group membership (Haslam et al., 2005). Yet, how is this dealt with when the formally determined post-accord period is fraught with recurring violence? How do people adapt to recurring traumatic events and get on with life? This paper interrogates the psychological impact of living in post-Taef Accord Lebanon, focusing on data from 22 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted with adults (age 21-73) in two regions: an interface area along the former Greenline dividing Beirut during the civil war and a rural district in southern Lebanon. The paper examines participants’ narratives of their lived experiences and appraisals of violent incidents before and after the Taef Accord. It also considers the role that social identity and group membership play in responding to stress.
