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Posttraumatic resilience in former Ugandan child soldiers
Fionna Klasen1, Gabriele Oettingen, Judith Daniels
1Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany. f.klasen@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Child Development
|July 20, 2010
Summary
Despite severe trauma, over a quarter of former Ugandan child soldiers demonstrated resilience. Factors like less domestic violence, guilt, and more spiritual support were linked to this resilience.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
- Child Development
Background:
- Child soldiers face extreme trauma, impacting mental health.
- Posttraumatic resilience is crucial for recovery in vulnerable youth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine posttraumatic resilience in former Ugandan child soldiers.
- To identify factors associated with resilience and psychopathology in this population.
Main Methods:
- Interviews with 330 former Ugandan child soldiers (ages 11-17).
- Assessment of trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and behavioral/emotional problems.
Main Results:
- 27.6% of participants exhibited posttraumatic resilience.
- Resilience was associated with lower domestic violence, guilt, revenge motivation, better socioeconomic status, and more spiritual support.
- Many with psychopathology showed symptoms beyond PTSD, suggesting developmental trauma.
Conclusions:
- Posttraumatic resilience is achievable for some former child soldiers.
- Interventions should address trauma, promote protective factors, and consider developmental trauma.
- Further research and policy are needed to support these youth.
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