Mapping Adverse Life Events Encountered by Comboni Missionary Sisters in East Africa Province

Abstract

Comboni Missionary Sisters serving in fragile mission contexts are frequently exposed to complex and cumulative adversities that impact their psychological, emotional, and spiritual well-being. While research in Sub-Saharan Africa has documented high trauma prevalence, there is a lack of data regarding the specific "vocational landscape" of adversity faced by women religious. This study aimed to identify the types and prevalence of Adverse Life Events (ALEs) among Sisters serving in the East Africa Province (Uganda and South Sudan). Using an embedded mixed-methods design, the study surveyed 63 Sisters (N=63) using an adapted Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire (TLEQ) and conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with a purposive subsample (n=10). Quantitative results revealed a multidimensional trauma landscape, with high prevalence rates for linguistic and cultural barriers (88.9%), witnessing extreme human suffering (85.7%), and exposure to armed conflict (81.0%). Qualitative findings expanded these results, uncovering "communal wounds" caused by institutional pressures and intercultural friction.The study concludes that adversity for the Comboni Sisters is a chronic, cumulative, environmental rather than a series of episodic events. These findings highlight the need for trauma-informed support and specialized formation modules that address both external mission crises and internal relational stressors.