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The perception of the socio-emotional climate and institutional trust in victims of political violence: Impact assessment of the national commission of truth and reconciliation

Abstract:

The article analyzes the impact of the National Commission of Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) on the socio-emotional climate, institutional trust and appreciation of transitional justice processes in a purposive sample of 304 people affected by political violence in Chile during the dictatorship (1973-1990). Analyses based on Student's test indicate that the participants who disapprove of the NCTR's work perceive a less positive socio-emotional climate and tend to distrust institutions. Those who approve of the NCTR's work tend to concur with the notion that it helped to know the truth, promote justice processes, create an inclusive story, and ensure that violence will not recur; also, they agree more with the possibilities of forgiveness to the perpetrators, perceive a positive emotional climate, are more convinced of the sincerity of institutional apologies, and are more trustful of institutions. A variance analysis revealed that young people express less positive and negative emotions, display less institutional trust, are less convinced by official apologies and present a more critical assessment of the achievement of the NCTR's functions. © 2013 by Psykhe.