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Cited by 185Conflict, Peace, and Violence in ColombiaHealth and Conflict StudiesPosttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Mozambique child soldier life outcome study: Lessons learned in rehabilitation and reintegration efforts

Boothby, N., Crawford, J., Halperin, J.·2006·Global Public Health
DOI 10.1080/17441690500324347
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Abstract

As the use of child soldiers continues to proliferate throughout the world, effective psychosocial interventions must be developed and evaluated. Our research shows that former child soldiers who are provided rehabilitative services and accepted back into their families and communities are able to become productive, responsible and caring adults. In 1988, 39 captured or escaped child soldiers were brought by the Mozambican government to the Lhanguene Rehabilitation Center in Maputo, Mozambique's capital city. Interventions that focused on rehabilitating the children both psychologically and physically were initiated during their 6-month stay at the Lhanguene centre, and reintegration assistance was provided for 2 years thereafter to support their return to families and communities. Our research continued to follow these former child soldiers for 16 years, and focused on their psychological, social and economic functioning. The study included qualitative and quantitative data collection methods to obtain adult well-being outcomes and was also designed to identify interventions that enabled these child soldiers to re-enter civilian life and lead relatively productive lives. Efficacious rehabilitation activities included those that strengthened individuals' coping skills for anticipated trauma and grief, instilled a sense of social responsibility and promoted self-regulation and security (versus survival) seeking behaviour. Activities that supported long term reintegration and self-sufficiency included community acceptance and forgiveness, traditional cleansing and healing rituals, livelihoods and apprenticeships.

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  • Longitudinal research indicates that recovery from trauma of ecological disruption, loss, and exposure to violence is a developmental process and that interventions initiated at one time point may need to be revisited as children grow older.

    “Longitudinal research on children affected by war indicates that recovery from the trauma of ecological disruption, loss, and exposure to violence is a developmental process and that interventions initiated at one time point may need to be revisited as the children grow older.16,119–121”

    From Interventions for Children Affected by War: An Ecological Perspective on Psychosocial Support and Mental Health Care (2013) · cites this paper as [120]

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Authors
Boothby, N., Crawford, J., & Halperin, J.
Affiliations
Columbia University (US)
ORCID
Boothby, N.
Venue
Global Public Health
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2006-02
Volume
1
Issue
1
Pages
87-107
ISSN
  • 1744-1692 (ISSN-L)
  • 1744-1706
DOI
10.1080/17441690500324347
OpenAlex
W2128372314
Cited by
185
References
17
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 23 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 11
FWCI
15.04
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Global Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Oak Foundation
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Conflict, Peace, and Violence in Colombia
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Conflict Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Keywords
former child soldiers, reintegration into civilian life, psychosocial interventions, long-term outcomes, coping strategies, grief and trauma, self-regulation, community acceptance, forgiveness, Mozambique
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Psychology, Adolescent, Ceremonial Behavior, Child, Child Abuse, Psychology, Child, Child Welfare, Combat Disorders, Family, Humans, Life Change Events, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Military Personnel, Mozambique, Rehabilitation Centers, Residence Characteristics, Self Concept, Social Responsibility, Social Support, Torture, Warfare, Program Evaluation, Qualitative Research

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