Ragnhild Dybdahl
Children and Mothers in War: An Outcome Study of a Psychosocial Intervention Program
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
present study designed evaluate effects children age 55 years wartorn bosnia herzegovina psychosocial intervention program consisting weekly group meetings mothers 5 months additional aim investigate childrens psychosocial functioning mental health mothers internally displaced motherchild dyads randomly assigned intervention group receiving psychosocial support basic medical care n 42 control group receiving medical care n 45 participants took part interviews tests provide information war exposure mental health psychosocial functioning intellectual abilities physical health results showed although participants exposed severe trauma manifestations distress varied considerably intervention program positive effect mothers mental health childrens weight gain several measures childrens psychosocial functioning mental health whereas difference two groups measures findings implications policy