Sexual and gender-based violence in areas of armed conflict: a systematic review of mental health and psychosocial support interventions

Tol, Wietse A; Stavrou, Vivi; Greene, M Claire; Mergenthaler, Christina; van Ommeren, Mark; García Moreno, Claudia

doi:10.1186/1752-1505-7-16

Cited by 137Gender, Security, and ConflictHealth and Conflict StudiesConflict, Peace, and Violence in Colombia

Sexual and gender-based violence in areas of armed conflict: a systematic review of mental health and psychosocial support interventions

Open access

Tol, Wietse A, Stavrou, Vivi, Greene, M Claire, Mergenthaler, Christina, van Ommeren, Mark, García Moreno, Claudia·2013·Conflict and Health

DOI 10.1186/1752-1505-7-16PMC PMC3750365

Open this paper in CoChat — free account Open PDF

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sexual and other forms of gender-based violence are common in conflict settings and are known risk factors for mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. We present findings from a systematic review of the academic and grey literature focused on the effectiveness of mental health and psychosocial support interventions for populations exposed to sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in the context of armed conflicts. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, PubMed/ Medline, psycINFO, and PILOTS, as well as grey literature to search for evaluations of interventions, without date limitations. RESULTS: Out of 5,684 returned records 189 full text papers were assessed for eligibility. Seven studies met inclusion criteria: 1 non-randomized controlled study; 3 non-controlled pre- post-test designs; 1 retrospective cohort with a matched comparison group; and 2 case studies. Studies were conducted in West and Central Africa; Albania; UK and USA, included female participants, and focused on individual and group counseling; combined psychological, medical, social and economic interventions; and cognitive behavioral therapy (two single case studies). CONCLUSIONS: The seven studies, while very limited, tentatively suggest beneficial effects of mental health and psychosocial interventions for this population, and show feasibility of evaluation and implementation of such interventions in real-life settings through partnerships with humanitarian organizations. Robust conclusions on the effectiveness of particular approaches are not possible on the basis of current evidence. More rigorous research is urgently needed.

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1186/1752-1505-7-16

Cites

38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Claims the paper makes

The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.

Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Although previous studies have evaluated effective treatment strategies with conflict-affected women and girls, there remains a paucity of knowledge on how to bring mental health supports to the required scale.
“Although previous studies have evaluated effective treatment strategies with conflict-affected women and girls, 5,16 there remains a paucity of knowledge on how to bring mental health supports to the required scale. 17”
From Guided self-help to reduce psychological distress in South Sudanese female refugees in Uganda: A cluster randomised trial (2020) · cites this paper as [17]
Citation 17 is attached to the claim about bringing mental health supports to the required scale. The Background and Conclusions identify gaps in knowledge about intervention effectiveness and call for more research, but do not address how to deliver supports at scale (searched: scale, scale-up, and delivery capacity). (LLM, conf=0.72)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

The self-check needs the paper’s full text.

The world report on violence and health
Krug, E. G., Mercy, J. A., Dahlberg, L. L., & Zwi, A. B. (2002) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11133-0 · Cited by 9,110 · see citing works
The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions.
Downs, S. H., & Black, N. (1998) · Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health · doi:10.1136/jech.52.6.377 · Cited by 8,252 · see citing works
Armed Conflict 1946-2001: A New Dataset
GLEDITSCH, N. P., WALLENSTEEN, P., ERIKSSON, M., SOLLENBERG, M., & STRAND, H. (2002) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343302039005007 · Cited by 3,846 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Data was obtained from the International Peace Research Institute (the Uppsala Conflict Data Program) [15-23] and the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research [24-27].”
Method
IASC Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
Carll, E. K. (2008) · PsycEXTRA Dataset · doi:10.1037/e518422011-002 · Cited by 681 · see citing works
Mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian settings: linking practice and research
Tol, W. A., Barbui, C., Galappatti, A., Silove, D., Betancourt, T. S., Souza, R., Golaz, A., & van Ommeren, M. (2011) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(11)61094-5 · Cited by 625 · cited 4× · see citing works
“Despite the increasing use of MHPSS interventions and publication of consensus guidelines on good practice, a wide gap has been reported between popular practices and knowledge on effectiveness of interventions in this field [14].”
BackgroundMethodInfluentialSelf-citation
The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Guidelines on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergency Settings
Wessells, M. (2010) · 57th Annual Meeting (October 26-31, 2010) · Cited by 544 · see citing works
Controlled trial of psychotherapy for Congolese survivors of sexual violence
Bass, J. K., Annan, J., McIvor Murray, S., Kaysen, D., Griffiths, S., Cetinoglu, T., Wachter, K., Murray, L. K., & Bolton, P. A. (2013) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejmoa1211853 · Cited by 423 · see citing works
Advocacy interventions to reduce or eliminate violence and promote the physical and psychosocial well-being of women who experience intimate partner abuse
Rivas, C. A., Ramsay, J., Sadowski, L. S., Davidson, L. L., Dunne, D., Eldridge, S. M., Hegarty, K. L., Taft, A., & Feder, G. S. (2015) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd005043.pub3 · Cited by 397 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In addition, we searched the reference lists of a number of relevant reviews [28-33] and the reference lists of included evaluation studies.”
Method
A Systematic Review of Prevalence Studies of Gender-Based Violence in Complex Emergencies
Stark, L., & Ager, A. (2011) · Trauma, Violence, & Abuse · doi:10.1177/1524838011404252 · Cited by 386 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Despite reports of large amounts of people surviving sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in the context of armed conflicts [8], high levels of psychological distress and mental disorders in this population [9-11], and the increasing popularity of preventive and treatment strategies [7,13], very little is k…”
Background
Statistics Notes: Some examples of regression towards the mean
Bland, J. M., & Altman, D. G. (1994) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.309.6957.780 · Cited by 381 · see citing works
Dyadic Dimensions of Armed Conflict, 1946—2007
Harbom, L., Melander, E., & Wallensteen, P. (2008) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343308094331 · Cited by 318 · see citing works
The inter-agency standing committee (IASC) guidelines on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in emergency settings: A critique
Marshall, C. (2022) · International Review of Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/09540261.2022.2147420 · Cited by 298 · see citing works
Armed Conflict and Peace Agreements
Harbom, L., Högbladh, S., & Wallensteen, P. (2006) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343306067613 · Cited by 297 · see citing works
Association of Combatant Status and Sexual Violence With Health and Mental Health Outcomes in Postconflict Liberia
Johnson, K. (2008) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.300.6.676 · Cited by 255 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Reported mental disorders include anxiety disorders (including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder [PTSD]), major depressive disorder, medically unexplained complaints, substance use disorders and suicidal ideation [12].”
Background
Domestic violence and severe psychiatric disorders: prevalence and interventions
Howard, L. M., Trevillion, K., Khalifeh, H., Woodall, A., Agnew-Davies, R., & Feder, G. S. (2009) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291709991589 · Cited by 254 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In addition, we searched the reference lists of a number of relevant reviews [28-33] and the reference lists of included evaluation studies.”
Method
Armed conflict, 1946–2010
Themnér, L., & Wallensteen, P. (2011) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343311415302 · Cited by 237 · see citing works
Armed Conflict and Its International Dimensions, 1946-2004
Harbom, L., & Wallensteen, P. (2005) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343305056238 · Cited by 197 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Data was obtained from the International Peace Research Institute (the Uppsala Conflict Data Program) [15-23] and the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research [24-27].”
Method
Experiences of female survivors of sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: A mixed-methods study
Kelly, J. T., Betancourt, T. S., Mukwege, D., Lipton, R., & VanRooyen, M. J. (2011) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/1752-1505-5-25 · Cited by 134 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Recorded social impacts include rejection by family and community, strain on marital relations, impaired parenting skills, children born as a result of rape, exclusion from schools and jobs, being perceived as unfit for marriage, further violence, repeated assault, and isolation [9,10].”
Background
Armed Conflicts, 1946—2009
Harbom, L., & Wallensteen, P. (2010) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343310376887 · Cited by 121 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Data was obtained from the International Peace Research Institute (the Uppsala Conflict Data Program) [15-23] and the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research [24-27].”
Method
Advocacy interventions to reduce or eliminate violence and promote the physical and psychosocial well‐being of women who experience intimate partner abuse
Ramsay, J., Carter, Y., Davidson, L., Dunne, D., Eldridge, S., Hegarty, K., Rivas, C., Taft, A., Warburton, A., & Feder, G. (2009) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd005043.pub2 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Armed Conflicts, 1946—2008
Harbom, L., & Wallensteen, P. (2009) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343309339112 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Armed Conflict, 1989-2002
Eriksson, M., Wallensteen, P., & Sollenberg, M. (2003) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/00223433030405006 · Cited by 116 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Data was obtained from the International Peace Research Institute (the Uppsala Conflict Data Program) [15-23] and the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research [24-27].”
Method
Armed Conflict, 1989—2006
Harbom, L., & Wallensteen, P. (2007) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343307080859 · Cited by 101 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Data was obtained from the International Peace Research Institute (the Uppsala Conflict Data Program) [15-23] and the Heidelberg Institute for International Conflict Research [24-27].”
Method
Armed Conflict, 1989–2003
Eriksson, M., & Wallensteen, P. (2004) · Journal of Peace Research · doi:10.1177/0022343304047568 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
Addressing sexual violence in humanitarian emergencies
Marsh, M., Purdin, S., & Navani, S. (2006) · Global Public Health · doi:10.1080/17441690600652787 · Cited by 91 · cited 1× · see citing works
“Rates of sexual and other forms of gender-based violence are reported to be higher in areas of armed conflict than in nonconflict affected settings [4], but establishing exact rates”
Background
War related sexual violence and it's medical and psychological consequences as seen in Kitgum, Northern Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Kinyanda, E., Musisi, S., Biryabarema, C., Ezati, I., Oboke, H., Ochieng, R. O., Were-Oguttu, J., Levin, J. B., Grosskurth, H., & Walugembe, J. (2010) · BMC International Health and Human Rights · doi:10.1186/1472-698x-10-28 · Cited by 88 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Despite reports of large amounts of people surviving sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in the context of armed conflicts [8], high levels of psychological distress and mental disorders in this population [9-11], and the increasing popularity of preventive and treatment strategies [7,13], very little is k…”
Background
Undercounting, overcounting and the longevity of flawed estimates: statistics on sexual violence in conflict
Palermo, T., & Peterman, A. (2011) · Bulletin of the World Health Organization · doi:10.2471/blt.11.089888 · Cited by 64 · cited 1× · see citing works
“is challenging [5].”
‘They came with two guns’: the consequences of sexual violence for the mental health of women in armed conflicts
Josse, É. (2010) · International Review of the Red Cross · doi:10.1017/s1816383110000251 · Cited by 55 · cited 2× · see citing works
“Recorded social impacts include rejection by family and community, strain on marital relations, impaired parenting skills, children born as a result of rape, exclusion from schools and jobs, being perceived as unfit for marriage, further violence, repeated assault, and isolation [9,10].”
Background
Evaluation of psychological support for victims of sexual violence in a conflict setting: results from Brazzaville, Congo
Hustache, S., Moro, M. R., Roptin, J., de Souza, R. R., Gansou, G. M., Mbemba, A., Roederer, T., Grais, R. F., Gaboulaud, V., & Baubet, T. (2009) · International Journal of Mental Health Systems · doi:10.1186/1752-4458-3-7 · Cited by 47 · cited 4× · see citing works
“Moreover, 6 out of 7 studies [37-42] did not apply a control condition, leaving open the possibility that any decrease in symptoms represents natural recovery or regression to the mean [43].”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Report of the FIGO Working Group on Sexual Violence/HIV: Guidelines for the management of female survivors of sexual assault
Jina, R., Jewkes, R. K., Munjanja, S. P., Mariscal, J. D. O., Dartnall, E., & Gebrehiwot, Y. (2010) · International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics · doi:10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.02.001 · Cited by 46 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In addition, we searched the reference lists of a number of relevant reviews [28-33] and the reference lists of included evaluation studies.”
Method
Cognitive Model of the Maintenance and Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Applied to Children and Adolescents
Vickers, B. (2005) · Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1359104505051212 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Appraisal of psychosocial interventions in Liberia
Lekskes, J., van Hooren, S., & de Beus, J. (2007) · Intervention · doi:10.1097/wtf.0b013e3280be5b47 · Cited by 31 · cited 7× · see citing works
“Without randomization, it is possible that the larger decrease reported in the one study [36] that applied a control condition is a result of observed pre-treatment differences.”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Advocacy interventions to reduce or eliminate violence and promote the physical and psychosocial well-being of women who experience intimate partner abuse
Ramsay, J., Carter, Y., Davidson, L. L., Dunne, D., Eldridge, S. M., Feder, G. S., Hegarty, K. L., Rivas, C. A., Taft, A., & Warburton, A. L. (2009) · Campbell Systematic Reviews · doi:10.4073/csr.2009.5 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Trauma rehabilitation after war and conflict : community and individual perspectives
Martz, E. (2010) · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Trauma Rehabilitation After War and Conflict: Community and Individual Perspectives
Martz (2010) · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Rape- and War-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder With a Female, Bosnian Refugee
Schulz, P. M., Marovic-Johnson, D., & Huber, L. (2006) · Clinical Case Studies · doi:10.1177/1534650103262408 · Cited by 20 · cited 6× · see citing works
“Scores on the PSS went from 33 (severe PTSD) at pre-treatment, to 11 two months into treatment and 4 at post-treatment [42].”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Refugee women survivors of war related sexualised violence: a multicultural framework for service provision in resettlement countries
Yohani, S. C., & Hagen, K. T. (2010) · Intervention · doi:10.1097/wtf.0b013e328341665c · Cited by 13 · cited 1× · see citing works
“In addition, we searched the reference lists of a number of relevant reviews [28-33] and the reference lists of included evaluation studies.”
Method
Sealing the Past, Facing the Future: An Evaluation of a Program to Support the Reintegration of Girls and Young Women Formerly Associated with Armed Groups and Forces in Sierra Leone
Ager, A., Stark, L., Olsen, J., Wessells, M., & Boothby, N. (2010) · Girlhood Studies · doi:10.3167/ghs.2010.030106 · Cited by 10 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

Wood EJ Sexual violence during war: explaining variation Order, Conflict and Violence Conference 2004 New Haven, CT: Yale University
Dehaybi S Brief Systematic Review on the Prevalence, Factors, and Psychosocial Therapies Surrounding Global Sexual Violence 2011 Geneva: World Health Organization

Sorted by citations

Guided self-help to reduce psychological distress in South Sudanese female refugees in Uganda: A cluster randomised trial
Tol, W. A., Leku, M. R., Lakin, D. P., Carswell, K., Augustinavicius, J., Adaku, A., Au, T. M., Brown, F. L., Bryant, R. A., Garcia-Moreno, C., et al. (2020) · The Lancet Global Health · doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(19)30504-2 · Cited by 249 · see citing works
“17 Against these challenges, it is clear that addressing the substantive mental health needs in humanitarian settings will require further innovation.”
Background
Physical, mental and social consequences in civilians who have experienced war-related sexual violence: a systematic review (1981–2014)
Ba, I., & Bhopal, R. S. (2016) · Public Health · doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2016.07.019 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Strengthening women's empowerment and gender equality in fragile contexts towards peaceful and inclusive societies: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Lwamba, E., Shisler, S., Ridlehoover, W., Kupfer, M., Tshabalala, N., Nduku, P. M., Langer, L., Grant, S., Sonnenfeld, A., Anda, D., et al. (2022) · Campbell Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/cl2.1214 · Cited by 266 · see citing works
Dissemination and implementation of evidence based, mental health interventions in post conflict, low resource settings
Murray, L. K., Tol, W. A., Jordans, M. J. D., Sabir, G., Amin, A. M., Bolton, P. A., Bass, J., Bonilla-Escobar, F. J., & Thornicroft, G. (2014) · Intervention · doi:10.1097/wtf.0000000000000070 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Gender-based violence against adolescent girls in humanitarian settings: a review of the evidence
Stark, L., Seff, I., & Reis, C. (2020) · The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health · doi:10.1016/s2352-4642(20)30245-5 · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Delivering mental health and psychosocial support interventions to women and children in conflict settings: a systematic review
Kamali, M., Munyuzangabo, M., Siddiqui, F. J., Gaffey, M. F., Meteke, S., Als, D., Jain, R., Radhakrishnan, A., Shah, S., Ataullahjan, A., et al. (2020) · BMJ Global Health · doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002014 · Cited by 100 · see citing works
Male and LGBT survivors of sexual violence in conflict situations: a realist review of health interventions in low-and middle-income countries
Kiss, L., Quinlan-Davidson, M., Pasquero, L., Tejero, P. O., Hogg, C. L., Theis, J., PARK, A. W., Zimmerman, C., & Hossain, M. (2020) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-020-0254-5 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
The impacts of combined social and economic empowerment training on intimate partner violence, depression, gender norms and livelihoods among women: an individually randomised controlled trial and qualitative study in Afghanistan
Gibbs, A., Corboz, J., Chirwa, E. D., Mann, C., Karim, F., Shafiq, M., Mecagni, A., Maxwell-Jones, C., Noble, E., & Jewkes, R. K. (2020) · BMJ Global Health · doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001946 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
“…management approaches show promise in reducing symptoms of depression and poor mental health, including in conflict and humanitarian settings, 18 19 in settings of abject poverty, and where IPV is common, interventions seeking to strengthen women’s livelihoods and reduce IPV experience may also…”
A Systematic Review of Interventions to Reduce Gender-Based Violence Among Women and Girls in Sub-Saharan Africa
Keith, T., Hyslop, F., & RICHMOND, R. L. (2022) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380211068136 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Improving the mental health of women intimate partner violence survivors: Findings from a realist review of psychosocial interventions
Paphitis, S. A., Bentley, A., Asher, L., Osrin, D., & Oram, S. (2022) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0264845 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Conflict and Health: seven years of advancing science in humanitarian crises
Ratnayake, R., Degomme, O., Roberts, B., & Spiegel, P. B. (2014) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/1752-1505-8-7 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
“One systematic review looked at t he confluence of the two areas by reviewing the effectiveness of mental health inte rventions for persons affected by sexual and gender based violence [38].”
Background
The impact of interventions to reduce risk and incidence of intimate partner violence and sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict states and other humanitarian crises in low and middle income countries: a systematic review
Spangaro, J., Toole‐Anstey, C., MacPhail, C. L., Rambaldini‐Gooding, D., Keevers, L., & Garcia‐Moreno, C. (2021) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-021-00417-x · Cited by 63 · see citing works
State of the Evidence: A Systematic Review of Approaches to Reduce Gender-Based Violence and Support the Empowerment of Adolescent Girls in Humanitarian Settings
Noble, E., Ward, L., French, S., & Falb, K. (2017) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/1524838017699601 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Psychopathological sequelae of female genital mutilation and their neuroendocrinological associations
Koebach, A., Ruf‐Leuschner, M., & Elbert, T. R. (2018) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-018-1757-0 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
“PTSD patients typically suffer from the cognitive, emotional, and physiological re-experiencing of their traumatic event(s) (B-criterion), avoidance of trauma reminders (C-criterion), an alteration of mood and cognition (D-criterion), and hyperarousal (E-criterion) [6].”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
Intergenerational effects of maternal post-traumatic stress disorder on offspring epigenetic patterns and cortisol levels
Hjort, L., Rushiti, F., Wang, S.-J., Fransquet, P., P Krasniqi, S., I Çarkaxhiu, S., Arifaj, D., Xhemaili, V. D., Salihu, M., A Leku, N., et al. (2021) · Epigenomics · doi:10.2217/epi-2021-0015 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Effectiveness of the Communities Care programme on change in social norms associated with gender-based violence (GBV) with residents in intervention compared with control districts in Mogadishu, Somalia
Glass, N. E., Perrin, N., Marsh, M., Clough, A. S., Desgroppes, A., Kaburu, F., Ross, B., & Read-Hamilton, S. (2019) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023819 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
The Integration of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Mapping and Review
Gray, B., Hanna, F., & Reifels, L. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17061900 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Reducing PTSD symptoms through a gender norms and economic empowerment intervention to reduce intimate partner violence: a randomized controlled pilot study in Côte D'Ivoire
Annan, J. R., Falb, K., Kpebo, D. O., Hossain, M., & Gupta, J. (2017) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2017.19 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
“The review found it difficult to draw robust conclusions due to study limitations; none of the studies included random assignment to treatment and only one of the seven studies had a controlled comparison group (Tol et al. 2013).”
Background
Feasibility trial of a scalable psychological intervention for women affected by urban adversity and gender-based violence in Nairobi
Dawson, K. S., Schafer, A., Anjuri, D., Ndogoni, L., Musyoki, C., Sijbrandij, M., van Ommeren, M., & Bryant, R. A. (2016) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-016-1117-x · Cited by 43 · see citing works
“Few psychological interventions targeting survivors of GBV in LMIC have undergone rigorous scientific evaluation and therefore their efficacy and effectiveness remain indeterminate [5, 13].”
Background
Negative consequences of conflict-related sexual violence on survivors: a systematic review of qualitative evidence
Rubini, E., Valente, M., Trentin, M., Facci, G., Ragazzoni, L., & Gino, S. (2023) · International Journal for Equity in Health · doi:10.1186/s12939-023-02038-7 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Sexual violence as a weapon of war in Ukraine
Boesten, J. (2022) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.o1172 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Responding to the needs of survivors of sexual violence: Do we know what works?
Schopper, D. (2014) · International Review of the Red Cross · doi:10.1017/s1816383114000460 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Lay-delivered talk therapies for adults affected by humanitarian crises in low- and middle-income countries
Ryan, G. K., Bauer, A., Endale, T., Qureshi, O., Doukani, A., Pashoja, A. C., Brar, S. K., Eaton, J., & Bass, J. (2021) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-021-00363-8 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Evaluating the communities care program: best practice for rigorous research to evaluate gender based violence prevention and response programs in humanitarian settings
Glass, N. E., Perrin, N., Clough, A. S., Desgroppes, A., Kaburu, F., Melton, J., Rink, A., Read-Hamilton, S., & Marsh, M. (2018) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-018-0138-0 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Willingness to pay for cleaner water in less developed countries: systematic review of experimental evidence
Null, C., Hombrados, J. G., (3ie), I. I. F. I. E., Kremer, M. R., Meeks, R. C., Miguel, E. A., & Zwane, A. P. (2012) · doi:10.23846/sr1003 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Sexual violence and general functioning among formerly abducted girls in Northern Uganda: the mediating roles of stigma and community relations - the WAYS study
Amone‐P’Olak, K., Lekhutlile, T. M., Ovuga, E., Abbott, R., Meiser‐Stedman, R., Stewart, D. G., & Jones, P. B. (2016) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2735-4 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
An integrated intervention to reduce intimate partner violence and psychological distress with refugees in low-resource settings: study protocol for the Nguvu cluster randomized trial
Tol, W. A., Greene, M. C., Likindikoki, S. L., Misinzo, L., Ventevogel, P., Bonz, A. G., Bass, J., & Mbwambo, J. K. K. (2017) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1338-7 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“Development of the Nguvu Intervention: A previous systematic review identified only one randomized controlled trial of a mental health and psychosocial support intervention for gender-based violence affected populations in the context of armed conflict in a low-resource setting [33].”
Background
“I Learned Who I Am”: Young People Born From Genocide Rape in Rwanda and Their Experiences of Disclosure
Hogwood, J., Mushashi, C., Jones, S., & Auerbach, C. (2017) · Journal of Adolescent Research · doi:10.1177/0743558417713302 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
“So far, only a small amount of research has explored the evaluation of psychosocial interventions in Rwanda (Richters et al., 2013; Tol et al., 2013) from which collectivizing around shared historic trauma has been found to build positive connections by sharing and neutralizing the impact of stigma…”
Background
A qualitative analysis of psychosocial outcomes among women with sexual violence-related pregnancies in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Scott, J. A., Mullen, C., Rouhani, S. A., Kuwert, P., Greiner, A. L., Albutt, K. H., Burkhardt, G., Onyango, M. A., VanRooyen, M. J., & Bartels, S. A. (2017) · International Journal of Mental Health Systems · doi:10.1186/s13033-017-0171-1 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Identity‐based hate and violence as trauma: Current research, clinical implications, and advocacy in a globally connected world
Allwood, M. A., Ghafoori, B., Salgado, C., Slobodin, O., Kreither, J., Waelde, L. C., Larrondo, P., & Ramos, N. (2021) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.22748 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Mechanisms underpinning interventions to reduce sexual violence in armed conflict: A realist-informed systematic review
Spangaro, J., Adogu, C., Zwi, A. B., Ranmuthugala, G., & Davies, G. P. (2015) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-015-0047-4 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“A third review focusing on mental health and psychosocial support interventions after sexual and other forms of GBV in armed conflicts tentatively concluded that benefits occurred, though noted that robust conclusions on the effectiveness of particular approaches were not possible [20].”
Background
A Study of Sexual Harassment in Three Selected Private Faith-Based Universities, Ogun-State, South-West Nigeria
Omonijo, D., Uche, O., Nwadiafor, K. L., & Rotimi, O. A. (2013) · Open Journal of Social Science Research · doi:10.12966/ojssr.12.03.2013 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
Mental health of women and children experiencing family violence in conflict settings: a mixed methods systematic review
Devakumar, D., Palfreyman, A., Uthayakumar-Cumarasamy, A., Ullah, N., Ranasinghe, C., Minckas, N., Nadkarni, A., Oram, S., Osrin, D., & Mannell, J. (2021) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-021-00410-4 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
The enduring consequences of conflict-related sexual violence: a qualitative study of women survivors in northern Uganda
Woldetsadik, M. A., Acan, G., & Odiya, O. I. (2022) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-022-00448-y · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“Although there has not been ample evidence of effectiveness of mental health interventions for survivors of CRSV in low-income settings [30], survivor-led groups such as WAN have been successful with providing informal group therapy to CRSV survivors, creating awareness about mental illness associated with CRSV, and r…”
Background
Local constructions of gender-based violence amongst IDPs in northern Uganda: analysis of archival data collected using a gender- and age-segmented participatory ranking methodology
Ager, A., Bancroft, C., Berger, E., & Stark, L. (2018) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-018-0140-6 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
“These largely preventive measures need to be complemented by culturally appropriate psychosocial support of survivors [8].”
Background
Programme potential for the prevention of and response to sexual violence among female refugees: a literature review
Robbers, G. M. L., & Morgan, A. (2017) · Reproductive Health Matters · doi:10.1080/09688080.2017.1401893 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“However, studies often lacked rigorous methodology and reporting, especially if conducted in conflict areas.(56,57) In a weak quality trial conducted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), female SV survivors with high levels of PTSD, anxiety and depression were randomly assigned to either individual support or co…”
Background
Factors associated with experiencing sexual violence among female gender-based violence survivors in conflict-afflicted eastern Ukraine
Capasso, A., Skipalska, H., Guttmacher, S. J., Tikhonovsky, N. G., Navario, P., & Castillo, T. P. (2021) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10830-9 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
“More evidence is needed on effective, acceptable and feasible interventions for survivors of sexual violence in humanitarian settings [46].”
Background
The impact of mental health and psychosocial support programmes for populations affected by humanitarian emergencies: A systematic review protocol
Bangpan, M., Lambert, F., Chiumento, A., & Dickson, K. (2016) · doi:10.21201/2016.605150 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Citation This report should be cited as: Bangpan M, Felix L, Chiumento A, Dickson, K (2015), The impact of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support interventions on people affected by humanitarian emergencies: a systematic review protocol.”
Conflict-related sexual violence: a review
Stachow, E. (2020) · BMJ Military Health · doi:10.1136/jramc-2019-001376 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“39”
Mothers of children born of genocidal rape in Rwanda: Implications for mental health, well-being and psycho-social support interventions
Denov, M. S., & Piolanti, A. (2019) · Health Care For Women International · doi:10.1080/07399332.2019.1571593 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Sexual minorities in conflict zones: A review of the literature
Moore, M. W., & Barner, J. R. (2017) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2017.06.006 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
I feel the pains of our past water struggles anytime I turn on the tap: Diaspora perceptions and experiences of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) gendered violence in Ghana
Nunbogu, A. M., Elliott, S. J., & Bisung, E. (2022) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115621 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Gender-based violence in the context of armed conflict in Northern Ethiopia
Tewabe, D. S., Azage, M., Wubetu, G. Y., Fenta, S. A., Worke, M. D., Asres, A. M., Alemnew, W., Kassie, G. G., Menber, Y., Mekonnen, A., et al. (2024) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-023-00563-4 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“Similarly, because women in developing countries are frequently in charge of basic economic support activities essential to their families’ daily lives, violence against them is used as a weapon of social disruption [34, 35].”
Background
Interpersonal violence and suicidality among former child soldiers and war-exposed civilian children in Nepal
Bhardwaj, A., Bourey, C., Rai, S., Adhikari, R. P., Worthman, C. M., & Kohrt, B. A. (2018) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2017.31 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“Extant literature currently does not demonstrate an increased risk of IPV in armed con ﬂ ict (Tol et al. 2013).”
The Other Red Line: The Use of Rape as an Unlawful Tactic of Warfare
Benshoof, J. (2014) · Global Policy · doi:10.1111/1758-5899.12140 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Responding to sexual violence in conflict
García‐Moreno, C. (2014) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(14)60963-6 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
PROTOCOL: Strengthening women's empowerment and gender equality in fragile contexts towards peaceful and inclusive societies: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Lwamba, E., Ridlehoover, W., Kupfer, M., Shisler, S., Sonnenfeld, A., Langer, L., Eyers, J. E., Grant, S., & Barooah, B. (2021) · Campbell Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/cl2.1180 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
European refugee crisis: psychological trauma of refugees and care givers
Papadopoulos, I., & Shea, S. (2018) · International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care · doi:10.1108/ijmhsc-08-2016-0032 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Challenging the narrative of gender socialisation: Digital storytelling as an engaged methodology for the empowerment of girls and young women
Hlalele, D. J., & Brexa, J. (2015) · Agenda · doi:10.1080/10130950.2015.1073439 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“Acts of violence leave victims with lasting consequences “including social impacts and negative health outcomes” (Tol et al, 2013:2).”
Background
Psychosocial rehabilitation experiences of women victims of armed conflict in Montes de María, Colombia
Marulanda, L. C. S., Aguilera-Char, A. A., González-Gil, C., & López‐López, W. (2021) · Archives of Public Health · doi:10.1186/s13690-021-00548-w · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“PR is relevant in reparation processes as it has been proven in different countries, its effects on lessening symptoms at the individualclinical and psychosocial levels by sharing experiences and agency, improving the way in which women victims relate to their community [24, 49].”
Background
Examining implementation of an intervention to reduce psychological distress and intimate partner violence in a refugee camp setting
Greene, M. C., Scognamiglio, T., Likindikoki, S. L., Misinzo, L., Njau, T., Bonz, A. G., Ventevogel, P., Mbwambo, J. K. K., & Tol, W. A. (2022) · Global Public Health · doi:10.1080/17441692.2022.2029926 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Theory of change for the delivery of talking therapies by lay workers to survivors of humanitarian crises in low-income and middle-income countries: protocol of a systematic review
Ryan, G. K., Bauer, A., Bass, J., & Eaton, J. (2018) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018193 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Understanding access to professional healthcare among asylum seekers facing gender-based violence: a qualitative study from a stakeholder perspective
Sapia, M. R., Wangmo, T., Dagron, S., & Elger, B. S. (2020) · BMC International Health and Human Rights · doi:10.1186/s12914-020-00244-w · Cited by 16 · see citing works
“Though My Father was a Killer, I Need to Know Him”: Children born of genocidal rape in Rwanda and their perspectives on fatherhood
Denov, M. S., & Piolanti, A. (2020) · Child Abuse & Neglect · doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104560 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
A rapid appraisal of the status of mental health support in post-rape care services in the Western Cape
Abrahams, N., & Gevers, A. (2017) · South African Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v23.959 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Rape in Armed Conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo: A Systematic Review of the Scientific Literature
Mpinga, E. K., Koya, M. M., Hasselgård-Rowe, J., Jeannot, É., Rehani, S. B., & Chastonay, P. (2016) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/1524838016650184 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Impact of setting insecurity on Cognitive Processing Therapy implementation and outcomes in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kaysen, D. L., Stappenbeck, C. A., Carroll, H. A., Fukunaga, R., Robinette, K., Dworkin, E. R., Murray, S. M., Tol, W. A., Annan, J. R., Bolton, P. A., et al. (2020) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2020.1735162 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“…occur when treating trauma in the context of ongoing conflict (Bass et al., 2013; Gillespie et al., 2002; Murray et al., 2013; Robjant, Roberts, & Katona, 2017; Tol et al., 2013), but expands this work to suggest that the degree of safety risk posed by a setting does not appear to affect outcomes.”
BackgroundResult
The Impact of a Community Based Rehabilitation Program in Afghanistan: A Longitudinal Analysis Using Propensity Score Matching and Difference in Difference Analysis
Trani, J., Escallon, J. V., & Bakhshi, P. (2020) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-021-00397-y · Cited by 13 · see citing works
In between the lines of the narrative map: Phenomenological analysis of war rape victims in Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia
Wondie, Y., Zeleke, W. A., & Melesse, M. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0289106 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“This includes 39% of women during the Rwandan genocide, 25% of women in Azerbaijan, 19% of women in Burundi, and 11% displaced women in Cambodia [2, 3].”
Background
The impact of support programmes for survivors of sexual violence: micro-level evidence from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Amisi, C., Biaba, R., Cikara, A., Østby, G., Nordås, R., Rustad, S. A., & Quattrochi, J. P. (2018) · Medicine Conflict & Survival · doi:10.1080/13623699.2018.1541625 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“One broader systematic review of the academic and grey literature by Tol et al. (2013) focusing on ‘the effectiveness of mental health and psychosocial support interventions for populations exposed to sexual and other forms of gender-based violence in the context of armed conflicts’ found that…”
Background
High rates of COVID-19 vaccine refusal among Afghan pregnant women: a cross sectional study
Nemat, A., Yaftali, S., Danishmand, T. J., Nemat, H., Raufi, N. K., & Asady, A. (2022) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-022-18497-x · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The mental health and well-being of internally displaced female Yazidis in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq: a realist review of psychosocial interventions and the impact of COVID-19
Lobanov‐Rostovsky, S., & Kiss, L. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.55 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“The most recent systematic review of psychosocial interventions for survivors of sexual violence included data ranging from over a decade ago (Tol et al., 2013).”
Background
Exploring the Impact of a Family-Focused, Gender-Transformative Intervention on Adolescent Girls’ Well-Being in a Humanitarian Context
Seff, I., Koris, A., Giuffrida, M., Ibala, R., Anderson, K., Shalouf, H., Deitch, J., & Stark, L. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192215357 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Adolescents in Gaza expressed reduced anti-social behavior, depressive sequelae, and aggression in households characterized by increased parental support and warm parenting practices [27,28].”
Background
Breaking the silence through MANTRA: Empowering Tamil MAN survivors of torture and rape
Fernandes, P., & Aiello, Y. (2018) · Torture Journal · doi:10.7146/torture.v28i3.111181 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Centering Subjectivities
Wachter, K., & Snyder, S. (2018) · Affilia · doi:10.1177/0886109918766620 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“…consequences of violence against women in armed conflict and forced displacement (Abrahams et al., 2014; Stark & Ager, 2011; Stark & Wessells, 2012; Tol et al., 2013; Vu et al., 2013), practitioners in the United States and other resettlement sexual violence that may carry into resettlement…”
Background
Improving and sustaining livelihoods through group-based interventions: mapping the evidence
(3ie), I. I. F. I. E., Barooah, B., Chinoy, S. L., 3ie, Dubey, P., 3ie, Sarkar, R., 3ie, Bagai, A., 3ie, et al. (2019) · doi:10.23846/egm013 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Sexual Violence Against Men in Conflict and Post-Conflict Settings: A Qualitative Research Methodology
Olaluwoye, T., Hoban, E., Connors, P., & Williams, J. W. (2022) · American Journal of Men s Health · doi:10.1177/15579883221084496 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Recruiting participants through NGOs may not always be possible considering that there are not many such organizations that support male refugees specifically, and that the male sexual violence survivors themselves may be reluctant to approach the existing organizations (Chynoweth et al., 2017; Spangaro et al., 2013;…”
BackgroundInfluential
A rapid appraisal of the status of mental health support in post-rape care services in the Western Cape
Abrahams, N., & Gevers, A. (2017) · South African Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v23i0.959 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
A comprehensive approach to providing services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in Democratic Republic of Congo: addressing more than physical trauma
Bennett, C., Banda, M., Miller, L., Ciza, J., Clemmer, W., Linehan, M., & Sthreshley, L. (2017) · Development in Practice · doi:10.1080/09614524.2017.1329400 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“There is a growing evidence base for the efficacy of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (O’Callaghan et al. 2013), cognitive processing therapy (Bass et al. 2013), and other forms of mental health and psychosocial support interventions in improving mental health outcomes (Tol et al. 2013).”
Background
Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Physical and/or Sexual Abuse Among Female Middle School Students: A Cross- Sectional Study in Kinshasa, DRC
Jonas, K. A. W. M., Tang, H., Deng, L.-C., Yu, Y., Baptiste, K. N. J., KISUNGU, B. K., Opoku, S., & Meng, H. (2020) · Journal of Interpersonal Violence · doi:10.1177/0886260520976221 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
“…prevalence rates of the current study were higher even when compared to the levels of sexual and gender-based violence recorded by prior studies conducted in other African countries affected by armed conflict: 11% in Colombia, 19% in Burundi, 39% in Rwanda (Tol et al., 2013; Ward & Marsh, 2006).”
BackgroundResultInfluential
Multilevel Determinants of Integrated Service Delivery for Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health in Humanitarian Settings
Greene, M. C., Bencomo, C., Rees, S. J., Ventevogel, P., Likindikoki, S. L., Nemiro, A., Bonz, A. G., Mbwambo, J. K. K., Tol, W. A., & McGovern, T. (2021) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph182312484 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Psychological interventions for survivors of IPV have shown promising impacts on reducing the symptoms of common mental health problems [21].”
Background
Rehabilitation services must include support for sexual and gender-based violence survivors in Ukraine and other war- and conflict-affected countries
Morgan, R., Asiimwe, L., Ager, A. L., Haq, Z., Thumba, L., & Shcherbinina, D. (2023) · Health Policy and Planning · doi:10.1093/heapol/czad005 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Risk and protective factors for GBV among women and girls living in humanitarian setting: systematic review protocol
Murphy, M., Ellsberg, M. C., Balogun, A., & García‐Moreno, C. (2021) · Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1186/s13643-021-01795-2 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
The ligaments of counter-terrorism regime: sexual violence and the vicarious traumatisation of female non-governmental organisation workers: evidence from Nigeria
Njoku, E. T. (2019) · Small Wars and Insurgencies · doi:10.1080/09592318.2019.1649830 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Recent research involving consent, alcohol intoxication, and memory: Implications for expert testimony in sexual assault cases
Cornelius, T. L., Jozkowski, K. N., Ross, J. M., Reidy, D. E., Wehle, S. M. J., Temple, J. R., & Drouin, M. A. (2024) · International Journal of Law and Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.ijlp.2024.102034 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
‘A woman’s place…’: community-based approaches to gender-based violence in Malawi
Gaynor, N., & Cronin, M. (2017) · Community Development Journal · doi:10.1093/cdj/bsx034 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“A number of quantitative studies (Abramsky and Devries, 2012, Kohli, 2012, Tol 2013) find CBAs effective in both GBV prevention and in service take-up.”
Background
Multiyear, Multisectoral Training Program in Kenya to Enhance Medical–Legal Processes in Response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Albezreh, S., Anastario, M. P., Ulibarrí, B. J., Naimer, K., Johnson, K., McHale, T., Mishori, R., Macias‐Konstantopoulos, W., Olson, R. M., & Nelson, B. D. (2022) · Violence Against Women · doi:10.1177/10778012221099984 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Sexual and other forms of gender-based violence increase in prevalence in times of conflict and are known risk factors for mental health conditions and reduced psychosocial well-being (Tol et al., 2013).”
Background
A rapid appraisal of the status of mental health support in post-rape care services in the Western Cape
Abrahams, N., & Gevers, A. (2017) · South African Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v23i1.959 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
A scoping review of nursing interventions to reduce PTSD in adolescents who have been sexually abused
Yosep, I., Suryani, S., Mediani, ‎. S., Mardhiyah, A., & Hernawaty, T. (2024) · BMC Nursing · doi:10.1186/s12912-024-02130-5 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Another study showed that nursing interventions can effectively reduce symptoms of low self-esteem in victims of sexual violence [14, 15].”
Background
What works to prevent violence against women and girls? Evidence review of the effectiveness of response mechanisms in preventing violence against women and girls
Jewkes, R. K. (2014) · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as Warfare
Cherepanov, E. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-89999-2_106 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Withstanding psychological distress among internally displaced Yazidis in Iraq: 6 years after attack by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Rasheed, O. S., López‐Rodríguez, L., & Navas, M. (2022) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00973-8 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Interventions to promote social cohesion in Sub-Saharan Africa
King, E., & Samii, C. (2012) · doi:10.23846/sr1012 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
A qualitative exploration of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on gender-based violence against women living with HIV or tuberculosis in Timor Leste
Martins, N., Soares, D., Gusmão, C., Nunes, M., Abrantes, L., Valadares, D., Marcal, S., Mali, M. A., Alves, L., Martins, J., et al. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0306106 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Systematic Review of Gender and Humanitarian Situations Across Africa
Nwoke, C., & Cochrane, L. (2022) · Africa Spectrum · doi:10.1177/00020397221128322 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“However, it has proved difficult to measure the effectiveness of mental health and psychosocial support interventions in such complex contexts (Tol et al., 2013).”
Background
Resilience and Ethics in Post-conflict Settings: Kwihangana, Living After Genocide Rape, and Intergenerational Resilience in Post-genocide Rwanda
Zraly, M., & Kagoyire, M. G. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-66296-7_13 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Disability in Humanitarian and Conflict Settings
Shah, M. H., Wayn, D. K., & Ali, N. (2025) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-40858-8_460-1 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Mental health and psychosocial support interventions for populations affected by ongoing armed conflict: a scoping review
Fréel, S., Punski‐Hoogervorst, J. L., Hoeboer, C. M., Ruzek, J. I., Beardmore, L., Olff, M., & Javakhishvili, J. D. (2026) · BMJ Global Health · doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2025-022708 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“…effective-ness—rather than scope, among either highly specific populations such as women and children, 41 42 refugees and asylum seekers, 43 or following exposure to distinct types of traumatic events including natural disasters or sexual and gender-based violence 44 within armed conflict settings.”
Examining the effectiveness of psychological interventions for marginalised and disadvantaged women and individuals who have experienced gender-based violence: protocol for a scoping review
Yalcinoz-Ucan, B., Zilney, L. J., Zientarska-Kayko, A., Ireland, T., & Browne, D. T. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-060479 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Cameroonian Political Conflict, Displacement, and Refugee Women’s Struggle in the Informal Economy in Nigeria
Lenshie, N. E., Miapyen, B. S., Idris, A., & Obi, K. C. (2025) · Society · doi:10.1007/s12115-025-01094-9 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence as Warfare
Cherepanov, E. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_106-1 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Palestinian and Norwegian Kindergarten Teachers' Perspectives on Psychosocial Support: A Qualitative Study
El-Khodary, B., Christensen, I. R., Abou-Dagga, S. I., Raji, S., & Lyden, S. C. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.761303 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“The teachers all describe how they see psychosocial support as measures for the child’s emotional, physical, and cognitive development, highlighting a resilience perspective, seeing good mental health and developmental outcomes, despite exposure to significant adversity (Tol et al., 2013).”
Background
Activity Of Charity and Civil Society Organizations in Gaza
Hamarsha, M. M. (2025) · Civil Szemle · doi:10.62560/csz.2025.02.3 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Support interventions to promote health and wellbeing among women with health-related consequences following traumatic experiences linked to armed conflicts and forced migration: a scoping review
Jolof, L., Rocca, P., & Carlsson, T. (2024) · Archives of Public Health · doi:10.1186/s13690-023-01235-8 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“…a limited number of studies investigating mental health and psychosocial support interventions for populations exposed to sexual abuse and other forms of gender-based violence in the context of armed conflicts, hindering the possibility of drawing any firm conclusions about effectiveness [28].”
Background
Support for children born of rape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: mother’s experiences and challenges
Kaningini, E. W., & Vandeninden, F. (2025) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-025-00674-0 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Barriers and facilitators to physical and mental health help-seeking among Congolese male refugee survivors of conflict-related sexual violence living in Kampala
Kansiime, P., van der Westhuizen, C., & Kagee, A. (2018) · Social Work and Social Sciences Review · doi:10.1921/swssr.v19i3.1196 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“…that sexual violence has always been part of many armed conflicts worldwide, but it differs in the scale, type, target group and tactics (Jewkes, Sen, & Garcia-Moreno, 2012; Tol et al., 2013), and it 2 is globally recognised as a human rights violation and security issue (Cohen & Nordas, 2014).”
BackgroundResult
Concerning ‘Neglect’: Perspectives on the Prioritisation of Mental Health Conditions in Protracted Displacement Contexts
Ghafoerkhan, R. S., Lowe, L., Weme, D. N., Griede, E., & Jeffery, L. R. (2024) · Medicine Anthropology Theory · doi:10.17157/mat.11.2.7725 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Sibling-Support for Adolescent Girls (SSAGE): A study protocol for a pilot randomized-controlled trial of a whole-family, gender transformative approach to preventing mental illness among forcibly displaced adolescent girls
Seff, I., Deitch, J., Harker, A., Rodríguez, C., Andia, T. S., Pena, T. A., & Stark, L. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0303588 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Community-based intervention packages for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality and improving neonatal outcomes
", Lassi, Z. S., & Haider, B. A. (2012) · doi:10.23846/sr1014 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Expanding the evidence on integration of cash assistance in gender-based violence case management in humanitarian settings: lessons learned from multi-country evaluations
Lyles, E., Glass, N. E., Sidabutar, E., Roa, E. G., Hoyos, C., Pacheco, A., Sarria, D., Golay, A., Friedman, J., Argenti, E., et al. (2025) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-025-00691-z · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Consistent with global findings on mental health in global and humanitarian settings [38, 39], women in all three countries reported symptoms of poor mental health.”

Sexual Violence and Armed Conflict: A Systematic Review of Psychosocial Support Interventions
Stavrou, V. (2013) · Key issues in mental health (Online)/Key issues in mental health (Print) · doi:10.1159/000342016 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Mental health and psychosocial support interventions for survivors of sexual and gender‐based violence during armed conflict: a systematic review
Tol, W. A., Stavrou, V., Greene, M. C., Mergenthaler, C., Garcia‐Moreno, C., & van Ommeren, M. (2013) · World Psychiatry · doi:10.1002/wps.20054 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for Victims/Survivors of Sexual Violence in Conflict and Emergency Settings
Andersen, I., & Buttigieg, F. (2024) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · doi:10.4103/intv.intv_30_23
Mental health and psychosocial support interventions for individuals affected by gender-based violence in fragile contexts: A systematic review
Antony, T. A., Whelan, E., Finnegan, A., Vallières, F., Barlet, L., Ryan, M., Escorza, E., Fitzgerald, G., & Hadfield, K. (2026) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2026.10272
Interventions addressing mental health in conflict-affected settings: A literature review
Falkbøll, N., Østergaard, M. L. D., García, J. G. Z., Aponte-Canencio, D. M., Modvig, J. S., & Brasholt, M. (2026) · Conflict and Health · doi:10.1186/s13031-025-00746-1

Authors: Tol, W. A., Stavrou, V., Greene, M. C., Mergenthaler, C., van Ommeren, M., & García Moreno, C.
Affiliations: Johns Hopkins University (US)
Columbia University (US)
Yale University (US)
Corresponding author: Tol, Wietse A
ORCID: Tol, Wietse A
Greene, M Claire
Mergenthaler, Christina
Venue: Conflict and Health
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2013-08-05
Volume: 7
Issue: 1
Pages: 16-16
ISSN: 1752-1505 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.1186/1752-1505-7-16
PMC: PMC3750365
OpenAlex: W2158842686
Cited by: 137
References: 38
Citations by year: 2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 3
FWCI: 2.55
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: gold
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 (tdm)
Locations: Conflict and Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: World Health Organization
Topics: Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Security, and Conflict
Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health and Conflict Studies
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Conflict, Peace, and Violence in Colombia
Keywords: sexual violence, gender-based violence, armed conflict, mental health interventions, psychosocial support, post-traumatic stress, cognitive behavioral therapy, group counseling, humanitarian organizations, conflict-affected populations

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

Sexual and gender-based violence in areas of armed conflict: a systematic review of mental health and psychosocial support interventions

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Self-check

Cites

Cited by

Related

Record

About these checks