Theresa S. Betancourt|Ivelina Borisova|Timothy P. Williams|Robert T. Brennan|Theodore H. Whitfield|Marie de la Soudière|John Williamson|Stephen E. Gilman
Sierra Leone’s Former Child Soldiers: A Follow?Up Study of Psychosocial Adjustment and Community Reintegration
Harvard University|Biostatistical Consulting (United States)|United Nations Children's Fund|Harvard University
first prospective study investigate psychosocial adjustment male female former child soldiers ages 1018 n 156 12 female study began sierra leone 2002 designed examine risk protective factors psychosocial adjustment 2year period followup youth wounded killed others war demonstrated increases hostility youth survived rape higher levels anxiety hostility also demonstrated greater confidence prosocial attitudes followup potential protective resources examined improved community acceptance associated reduced depression followup improved confidence prosocial attitudes regardless levels violence exposure retention school also associated greater prosocial attitudes