A longitudinal study of psychosocial adjustment and community reintegration among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone

Betancourt, Theresa S.

doi:10.1192/s1749367600005853

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…Survivors of war are at an increased risk of mental ill-health such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and conduct problems, but the pathways to, and mechanisms for sustained long-term mental health problems are poorly understood (Betancourt et al 2010; Wessells 2009; Betancourt 2010; Bolton et al 2007). For example, a study in Nepal indicated that post-war experiences promote resilience or adverse psychosocial outcomes (Kohrt, Jordans, Tol, et al 2008) while other studies showed that although the majority of former child soldiers are resilient, contextual community factors such as stigma or discrimination, strongly influence long-term adjustment during re-integration (Betancourt 2010; Wessells 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, a study in Nepal indicated that post-war experiences promote resilience or adverse psychosocial outcomes (Kohrt, Jordans, Tol, et al 2008) while other studies showed that although the majority of former child soldiers are resilient, contextual community factors such as stigma or discrimination, strongly influence long-term adjustment during re-integration (Betancourt 2010; Wessells 2009). Consequently, potentially exacerbating and mitigating factors that influence the mental health of war-affected youths may include not only their past war experiences but also post-war factors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cohort profile: mental health following extreme trauma in a northern Ugandan cohort of W ar-A ffected Y outh S tudy (The WAYS Study)

et al. 2013

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War experiences are associated with the risk of long-term mental health problems. The War-affected Youths (WAYS) Study comprises a cohort of 539 youths (61% female) aged between 18 to 25 (at baseline) randomly sampled from the population of war-affected youths in northern Uganda. The study aims to chart the trajectory of long-term mental health consequences of war and the roles of individual, family, and community contextual risk and protective factors in influencing the course of mental health using Social Ecology Model, thus, addressing both the individual and its social ecology. Knowledge of postwar contexts may inform policy and guide interventions on postwar psychosocial adjustment and reintegration in conflict-prone Great Lakes region of Africa (Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, Uganda, Central African Republic, and South Sudan). Two waves of data collection have been conducted and more data collection is planned. At baseline, information on demographic characteristics, pre-war experiences, psychosocial outcomes, coping, stigma/discrimination, family and community acceptance and relationship, family functioning, and post-war experiences were obtained. At follow-up, information on general health, gender-based violence, PTSD, social skills, trauma memory quality, rumination, self-esteem, and psychosocial outcomes were collected. Approval to access the data can be obtained on application to the Principal Investigator upon submission of a research proposal with ethical approval from the applicant's institution. This research is funded by Wellcome Trust and Gulu University.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cohort profile: mental health following extreme trauma in a northern Ugandan cohort of W ar-A ffected Y outh S tudy (The WAYS Study)

et al. 2013

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“…The results show that community acceptance was significantly related to lower levels of PTSD symptoms, and a lower average subscale score for hostility, depression and anxiety. Higher average levels of family acceptance were also associated with higher scores for prosocial behaviour and confidence (Betancourt, Pochan and de la Soudiere, 2005). Thus, traditional cere monies are connected to improved psychosocial measures, which, in turn, facilitate family and community acceptance and reintegration.…”

Section: Traditional or Cultural Practicesmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…However, when this group was compared with the group of children associated with fighting forces who had returned to their communities without the benefit of pro gramming, children who had experienced programming received significantly lower hostility and depression scores. Children associated with fighting forces who had gone through the intervention also had higher confidence scores and higher scores in terms of prosocial behaviour compared to the selfreturned child soldiers (Betancourt, Pochan and de la Soudiere, 2005).…”

Section: The Community-based Modelmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…A 2005 study conducted in Sierra Leone examined community, familial and child level variables in relation to reintegration and psychosocial adjustment among young people returning to their home villages after being associated with rebel fighting forces (Betancourt, Pochan and de la Soudiere, 2005). It compared former child soldiers who received services-including material and psychosocial assistance in interim care centres, family tracing, and community followup-with a group of child soldiers who selfdemobilised and returned to their communities without having received any special services.…”

Section: The Community-based Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Children and fighting forces: 10 years on from Cape Town

2009

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It is 10 years since the adoption of the Cape Town Principles and Best Practices on the Prevention of Recruitment of Children into the Armed Forces and on Demobilization and Social Reintegration of Child Soldiers in Africa. The field of programming for the reintegration of children associated with armed forces and armed groups has made significant strides in this period. However, important gaps in the knowledge base remain. This paper examines empirical evidence that supports lessons learned from work with children formerly connected with fighting forces. It evaluates what is known, where promising practice exists, and lacunae in five programming areas: psychosocial support and care; community acceptance; education, training and livelihoods; inclusive programming for all war-affected children; and follow-up and monitoring. While the 2007 Paris Commitments to Protect Children from Unlawful Recruitment or Use by Armed Forces or Groups mark an emerging consensus on many issues, there is still a critical need for more systematic studies to develop the evidence base supporting intervention in this area.

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Developing an African youth psychosocial assessment: an application of item response theory

Betancourt

Yang

Normand

2014

Int J Methods Psych Res

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This study aimed to refine a dimensional scale for measuring psychosocial adjustment in African youth using item response theory (IRT). A 60-item scale derived from qualitative data was administered to 667 war-affected adolescents (55% female). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) determined the dimensionality of items based on goodness-of-fit indices. Items with loadings less than 0.4 were dropped. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the scale's dimensionality found under the EFA. Item discrimination and difficulty were estimated using a graded response model for each subscale using weighted least squares means and variances. Predictive validity was examined through correlations between IRT scores (θ) for each subscale and ratings of functional impairment. All models were assessed using goodness-of-fit and comparative fit indices. Fisher's Information curves examined item precision at different underlying ranges of each trait. Original scale items were optimized and reconfigured into an empirically-robust 41-item scale, the African Youth Psychosocial Assessment (AYPA). Refined subscales assess internalizing and externalizing problems, prosocial attitudes/behaviors and somatic complaints without medical cause. The AYPA is a refined dimensional assessment of emotional and behavioral problems in African youth with good psychometric properties. Validation studies in other cultures are recommended.

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A longitudinal study of psychosocial adjustment and community reintegration among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone

Cited by 13 publications

References 10 publications

Cohort profile: mental health following extreme trauma in a northern Ugandan cohort of W ar-A ffected Y outh S tudy (The WAYS Study)

Cohort profile: mental health following extreme trauma in a northern Ugandan cohort of W ar-A ffected Y outh S tudy (The WAYS Study)

Children and fighting forces: 10 years on from Cape Town

Developing an African youth psychosocial assessment: an application of item response theory

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