Multiple trauma and mental health in former Ugandan child soldiers

Abstract

The present study examines the effect of war and domestic violence on the mental health of child soldiers in a sample consisting of 330 former Ugandan child soldiers (age: 11-17 years, female: 49%). All children had experienced at least 1 war-related event and 78% were additionally exposed to at least 1 incident of domestic violence. Prevalences of posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder were 33%, and 36%, respectively. Behavioral and emotional problems above clinical cutoff were measured in 61%. No gender differences were found regarding mental health outcomes. War experience and domestic violence were significantly associated with all mental health outcomes. The authors' findings point to the detrimental effects of domestic violence in addition to traumatizing war experiences in child soldiers.

La pensée magique chez les enfants soldats congolais

“…D'après une étude menée auprès d'un échantillon de 330 ex-enfants soldats ougandais, 33 % d'entre eux répondent aux critères d'un état de stress post-traumatique et 36,4 % d'une dépression majeure (Klasen et al, 2010a). Les enfants plus âgés montreraient davantage de problèmes émotionnels et comportementaux que les plus jeunes : sentiment de devoir être parfait, maux de tête, cauchemars, inquiétudes, maux de ventre et idéations suicidaires sont les principaux problèmes ayant été rapportés par ces enfants (Klasen et al, 2010b). Klasen et al (2010b) (Bissouma et al, 2010).…”

“…Les enfants plus âgés montreraient davantage de problèmes émotionnels et comportementaux que les plus jeunes : sentiment de devoir être parfait, maux de tête, cauchemars, inquiétudes, maux de ventre et idéations suicidaires sont les principaux problèmes ayant été rapportés par ces enfants (Klasen et al, 2010b). Klasen et al (2010b) (Bissouma et al, 2010). Selon l'évaluation diagnostique effectuée dans le cadre de cette étude, 81,4 % des enfants souffraient d'une pathologie mentale (trouble du comportement, troubles du sommeil, angoisses, céphalées, troubles caractériels, tristesse, etc.).…”

Differential roles of childhood adversities and stressful war experiences in the development of mental health symptoms in post-war adolescents in northern Uganda

“…PTSD, depression and anxiety [1-3]. Adolescence is a period of particular vulnerability to depression, anxiety and PTSD symptoms and many potentially stressful challenges.…”

“…Studies show that direct war exposure, such as in former child soldiers, is associated with more mental health symptoms than indirect exposure to war-related events [2,4]. In addition, prolonged wars have been known to disrupt families and social support networks and thus increase childhood adversity [1,5]. …”

“…However, there is limited data regarding the differential effects of childhood adversities and stressful war experiences on adolescents’ post-war mental health [6,12]. The impact of particular childhood adversities, such as intra-familial violence and chronic poverty, both considered risk factors for mental health in low-income countries, have not been adequately explored in Sub-Saharan Africa [1,10]. …”