Theresa S. Betancourt|Robert T. Brennan|Julia Rubin-Smith|Garrett M. Fitzmaurice|Stephen E. Gilman
Sierra Leone's Former Child Soldiers: A Longitudinal Study of Risk, Protective Factors, and Mental Health
McLean Hospital|Harvard University|Health and Human Development (2HD) Research Network
investigate longitudinal course internalizing externalizing problems adaptiveprosocial behaviors among sierra leonean former child soldiers whether postconflict factors contribute adverse resilient mental health outcomesmale female former child soldiers n 260 aged 10 17 years baseline recruited roster nongovernmental organization ngorun interim care center kono district interviewed 2002 2004 2008 retention rate 69 linear growth models used investigate trends related war postconflict experiencesthe longterm mental health former child soldiers associated war experiences postconflict risk factors partly mitigated postconflict protective factors increases externalizing behavior associated killinginjuring others war postconflict stigma whereas increased community acceptance associated decreases externalizing problems b 109 high baseline levels internalizing problems associated raped whereas increases associated younger involvement armed groups social economic hardships improvements internalizing problems associated higher levels community acceptance increases community acceptance b 086 decreases adaptiveprosocial behaviors associated killinginjuring others war postconflict stigma partially mitigated social support school increased community acceptance b 193psychosocial interventions former child soldiers may effective account postconflict factors addition war exposures youth accumulated risk factors lack protective factors persistent distress identified sustainable services promote community acceptance reduce stigma expand social supports educational access recommended