Out of sight, out of mind? The psychosocial needs of children formerly associated with armed forces: a case study of Save the Children UK's work in Beni and Lubero territories, North Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Research into the psychosocial needs of children formerly associated with armed forces (CAAF) has aroused much interest in the past 60 years. Despite this, much debate remains surrounding how to optimally address these issues. The overwhelming stance of modern authors is that intervention must move away from the former focus on purely psychological intervention, to encompass broader social and cultural issues in addition. Hosted by Save the Children UK (SCUK), this qualitative research explores the perceptions of former CAAF, their communities and local SCUK staff of the psychosocial needs of former CAAF. Semi-structured interviews and focussed group discussions were conducted with 62 former CAAF (29 boys, 33 girls), 21 community members and 7 staff members of SCUK or its partner organizations in Beni and Lubero territories of North Kivu province, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Findings are presented and were analysed within a conceptual framework proposed by the Psychosocial Working Group. It was found that whilst the social needs of former CAAF and their communities are great, psychological challenges are prevalent and serious; moreover these psychological challenges impact the social integration of former CAAF. In addition, the needs of female former CAAF should be addressed differently to those of males, due primarily to the children most of the girls have conceived during their time with armed groups. The current movement of psychosocial theory from a psychological to a social focus is reflective of an attempt to address developmental concerns at the neglect of humanitarian needs. In consequence, former CAAF are being offered substandard assistance which fails to optimize their chances for successful civilian reintegration. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.