ARMED CONFLICT: Psychosocial adjustment and social reintegration of children associated with armed forces and armed groups

Psychology Beyond Borders (PBB) and researchers from Harvard's François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights have announced the release of a new report examining the state of research and service in the field of child soldiers.

This report, titled "Psychosocial adjustment and social reintegration of children associated with armed forces and armed groups: The state of the field and future directions," focuses on what is known about the psychological health of former child soldiers and the approaches used by people working with this population. The report also examines what major questions exist for future research and service. Psychology Beyond Borders has made the report available for download at:

http://www.psychologybeyondborders.com/content.php?p=caffreport

This report was prepared by the FXB Center's Research Program on Children and Global Adversity. The RPCGA is directed by Dr. Theresa Betancourt, who has been working in the area of psychosocial issues surrounding children associated with fighting forces (CAFF) for thirteen years. The report includes three main sections:

* An examination of predictors of psychological health in former CAFF and existing unanswered questions in this area;

* A discussion of existing service programs and what is known about what works for supporting psychosocial adjustment and community reintegration.

* Recommendations for future work in both research and service in the area.

The authors conclude that while there is a growing understanding of what predicts distress in former child soldiers, and some developing awareness of what interventions might be effective, there is still no solid empirically-based understanding of how to best support their healthy social reintegration. There is much to be learned from traditional community approaches to healing and promoting acceptance. In addition, there is a wealth of experience gained from years of interventions delivered by local and international professionals.

However, it is time that research and evaluation kept pace with on-the-ground practice. In particular, the authors call for future research that is longitudinal, sensitive to gender and cultural issues, and uses scientifically rigorous designs.

For additional information about the report and its findings, contact the authors at [email protected] or PBB at [email protected].

 

Owner: François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rightspdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/CAAFAG.pdf

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