BACKGROUND: Former child soldiers are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the trajectory of symptoms has yet to be examined. AIMS: The risk and protective factors associated with PTSD symptom change among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone were investigated. METHOD: Data from 243 former child soldiers (mean age 16.6 years, 30% female) were analysed. RESULTS: Self-reported rates of possible PTSD using standard cut-off points declined from 32% to 16% 4 years later (P<0.05). Symptoms of PTSD at baseline were significantly associated with war experiences (P<0.01) and post-conflict family abuse (P<0.001). Reliable improvement in symptoms was reported by 30%. In growth models examining symptom change, worsening of symptoms was associated with death of a parent (P<0.05) and post-conflict stigma (P<0.001). Protective effects were observed for increases in family acceptance (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated improvement in PTSD symptoms among former child soldiers despite limited access to care. Family and community support played a vital part in promoting psychological adjustment.
BACKGROUND: Former child soldiers are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, the trajectory of symptoms has yet to be examined. AIMS: The risk and protective factors associated with PTSD symptom change among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone were investigated. METHOD: Data from 243 former child soldiers (mean age 16.6 years, 30% female) were analysed. RESULTS: Self-reported rates of possible PTSD using standard cut-off points declined from 32% to 16% 4 years later (P<0.05). Symptoms of PTSD at baseline were significantly associated with war experiences (P<0.01) and post-conflict family abuse (P<0.001). Reliable improvement in symptoms was reported by 30%. In growth models examining symptom change, worsening of symptoms was associated with death of a parent (P<0.05) and post-conflict stigma (P<0.001). Protective effects were observed for increases in family acceptance (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated improvement in PTSD symptoms among former child soldiers despite limited access to care. Family and community support played a vital part in promoting psychological adjustment.
Authors: Theresa S Betancourt; Robert T Brennan; Julia Rubin-Smith; Garrett M Fitzmaurice; Stephen E Gilman Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2010-05-01 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: D P Bernstein; L Fink; L Handelsman; J Foote; M Lovejoy; K Wenzel; E Sapareto; J Ruggiero Journal: Am J Psychiatry Date: 1994-08 Impact factor: 18.112
Authors: Theresa S Betancourt; Ivelina Borisova; Timothy P Williams; Sarah E Meyers-Ohki; Julia E Rubin-Smith; Jeannie Annan; Brandon A Kohrt Journal: J Child Psychol Psychiatry Date: 2012-10-12 Impact factor: 8.982
Authors: Theresa S Betancourt; Elizabeth A Newnham; Robert T Brennan; Helen Verdeli; Ivelina Borisova; Richard Neugebauer; Judith Bass; Paul Bolton Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2012-04-05 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Theresa S Betancourt; Ryan McBain; Elizabeth A Newnham; Adeyinka M Akinsulure-Smith; Robert T Brennan; John R Weisz; Nathan B Hansen Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2014-10-02 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Ryan K McBain; Carmel Salhi; Katrina Hann; Joshua A Salomon; Jane J Kim; Theresa S Betancourt Journal: Health Policy Plan Date: 2015-09-07 Impact factor: 3.344
Authors: Ryan K McBain; Carmel Salhi; Katrina Hann; Jim Kellie; Alimamy Kamara; Joshua A Salomon; Jane J Kim; Theresa S Betancourt Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2015-10-16 Impact factor: 9.408