The exposure to chronic interpersonal trauma during developmentally critical
periods can have pervasive impacts on social, psychological, biological and cognitive
functioning. Interpersonal trauma has been associated with a complex range of risk
factors at the individual, family, community, and societal levels. However, little research
has focused on the interplay between culture and trauma, especially in low- and middleincome
countries. The current study is a qualitative investigation to develop a culturally
grounded model of interpersonal trauma in Kenyan adolescents. Fourteen focus groups
were conducted in three ethnically diverse communities surrounding Eldoret, Kenya
with adolescents ages 12 to 18 (n=67) and caregivers (n=54). Focus Group participants
identified community leaders and providers and three additional focus groups were
conducted with these key informants (n=28). A grounded theory approach was used for
data collection and analysis. A culturally grounded model of interpersonal trauma
exploring both exposure and symptomatic presentation is proposed. From this
investigation, it is apparent that adolescents who experience chronic interpersonal
trauma in these communities experience dysregulation symptoms similar to those
described in complex trauma theory. However, poverty, martial conflict, caregiver
stress, caregiver substance abuse and favoritism emerged as risk factors for
interpersonal trauma and indicate measures and interventions developed for the
assessment and treatment of symptoms resulting from interpersonal trauma must be
adapted for use in this population.