Towards an understanding of Colombia’s demobilized young women: a person-centered approach

ABSTRACT Research on experiences of former young soldiers in Colombia, from their own frame of reference, and which includes both distress and growth, is rare. Person-Centered theory argues for an inherent potential for growth in all organisms and could provide further understanding of the experiences of these young women. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of six demobilized Colombian young women, and to understand their experiences through Person-Centered theory. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the interviews, and the young women’s experiences were organized into four themes. It is argued that these young women underwent a cultural conditioning specific to living in a war zone, followed by a social conditioning by the illegally armed groups. Even in an extremely oppressive environment, socially constructive behaviors were present, and growth was evident in most participants. It is maintained that a Person-Centered approach would be highly beneficial when working therapeutically with demobilized youth.