About Eke...
Researcher in psychological effects of non-state political violence on its actors
Eke Bont has a background in psychology (MA SocSci in psychology and MSc in war and psychiatry) and is interested in the psychological effects of non-state political violence on its actors. She is also interested in their moral beliefs related to such violence. Specifically, her PhD is investigating whether Republican ex-prisoners from the Northern Ireland conflict (the ‘Troubles’) experienced moral injury or other psychological effects as a result of their engagement in this conflict, and whether this influenced their involvement. Moral injury has been predominantly studied in traditional state military personnel and veterans. It arises when an individual perpetrates or witnesses a perceived moral transgression. This may result in long-lasting psychological, emotional, and social effects. This PhD research involves interviews with Republican ex-prisoners, as well as professionals who work with this population.
Publications
Bont, E. (2020). Moral Injury in Provisional IRA Members: Preliminary Evidence of Moral Beliefs Injuring, Protecting & Disillusioning. Terrorism and Political Violence, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2020.1833861
Bont, E. (2021). The psychological impact of involvement in the Irish Republican Army during the ‘Troubles’: Preliminary evidence of moral injury. In K. Bhui & D. Bhugra (Eds.), Terrorism, Violent Radicalisation, and Mental Health (pp. 95–106). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198845706.003.0008
Morrison, J., Silke, A., & Bont, E. (2021). The Development of the Framework for Research Ethics in Terrorism Studies (FRETS). Terrorism and Political Violence, 33(2), 271–289. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2021.1880196