Devia, Liliana
(2024)
TRANSITIONING IDENTITIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE SOCIAL TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN LIFE OF FORMER ARMED GROUP MEMBERS REINTEGRATING INTO COLOMBIAN SOCIETY (2002-2018) FROM A SOCIAL IDENTITY PERSPECTIVE.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
The transition of ex-combatants from military to civilian life is a multifaceted psychological journey that necessitates adaptation and time. Despite undergoing demobilization processes designed to facilitate their transition, ex-combatants often struggle to align their identities with civilian norms. This dissertation challenges the assumption that completing reintegration programs equates to seamlessly adopting a civilian identity. Instead, it determines that ex-combatants undergo a three-phase psychological process—separation, transition, and incorporation—running parallel to their reintegration before fully embracing civilian life through the redefinition of their social identity. Drawing on social identity theory, this study conducted semi-structured interviews with 32 former combatants who reintegrated into Colombian society between 2002 and 2018. The aim was to elucidate the psychological process experienced by these individuals as
they reintegrated into society post-demobilization. Given the broad scope of the analysis, the proposed model is also relevant to understanding the experiences of other individuals undergoing analogous reintegration processes. Separation from armed groups entails more than physical demobilization; it requires individuals to disengage psychologically to transition effectively to civilian life. This leaves ex-combatants in a state of limbo before they fully embrace civilian life. Those whose groups were disbanded found the transition comparatively smoother through their new roles. Conversely, participants whose groups evolved into political entities grappled with identity reassessment, leading some to disengage entirely and others to redefine their political activism
apart from their group. Ex-combatants who establish psychological ties through social identities often find support and a sense of belonging, eventually incorporating themselves back into society. This support can also be derived from others undergoing reintegration as they reconsider the factors that bind them together beyond their former combat group. The sample demonstrated how some ex-combatants leverage their rural identities to collaborate with local communities, including victims, in addressing shared experiences of violence and trauma, as well as meeting basic needs. Nonetheless, their experiences show that this process can extend over several years. By successfully disengaging from armed group affiliations and fostering a sense of belonging within society, ex-combatants can integrate into alternative social groups. This research illuminates the intricacies of the social transition process and underscores the pivotal role of social identity in facilitating reintegration into civilian life.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
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| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
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| ETD Committee: |
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| Date: |
3 June 2024 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
21 March 2024 |
| Approval Date: |
3 June 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
3 April 2024 |
| Access Restriction: |
No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately. |
| Number of Pages: |
242 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs > Public and International Affairs |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
ex-combatants, social transition, demobilization, reintegration, Colombia, social identity theory, psychological adjustment, civilian identity. |
| Date Deposited: |
03 Jun 2024 14:19 |
| Last Modified: |
03 Jun 2024 14:19 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/45976 |
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