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Neil Boothby, PhD and Jennifer R Crawford, MPH. Department of Population and Family Health, Program on Forced Migration and Health, Columbia University, 215 West 125th Street, Suite 3F, New York, NY 10027, 646-284-9689, jrc2005@columbia.edu
This research investigates the adult outcomes of former child soldiers in Mozambique, paying particular attention to their psychological and social functioning. Undertaken by two practitioner and two academic partners, it represents the culmination of fifteen years of collaborative work aimed at producing a unique longitudinal study of individuals, who as children, participated in organized violence. The research was initiated in 1988 with a focus on 42 children who had been abducted by Renamo, trained and used as combatants. Psychosocial development data was collected on these former child soldiers, during their six- month stay at the Lhanguene Rehabilitation Center as well as for two years after they had returned to their communities. The study includes qualitative and quantitative data to assess the psychosocial health of these former child soldiers as adults. For comparative purposes, the adult outcomes of former child soldiers who were not provided any specialized assistance will also be examined. At a policy level, we will learn more about how such assistance helped and/or hindered child soldiers’ reintegration into society. At a program level, we will learn more about the possibilities and limitations of integrating a psychosocial component into broader assessment, assistance and follow-up efforts.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.