The Psychological Legacies of Forced Combat: Longitudinal Psychosocial Rehabilitation Outcomes in Post-Conflict States

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 8, No. 7, July 2017 | pp. 721–729

DOI: 10.46882/2017/GJPCS/0000102

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: The Psychological Legacies of Forced Combat: Longitudinal Psychosocial Rehabilitation Outcomes in Post-Conflict States

Names of Authors: Sahr Mathew Kamara¹, Grace Thompson²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Department of Psychology, Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone; ²Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract: Abstract: The successful long-term reintegration of former forced combatants into civilian communities remains a primary psychological and sociological challenge for post-conflict state stabilization. This study presents a longitudinal evaluation of psychological rehabilitation outcomes among 250 former child soldiers, five years after the completion of formal national disarmament programs. Mental health and social adjustment profiles were evaluated using standardized clinical tracking profiles tracking chronic post-traumatic stress symptoms, economic self-sufficiency, and community acceptance metrics. The psychological testing shows that high levels of trauma symptoms persist, with 42% of participants meeting the clinical threshold for PTSD (Mean Score = 48.5 ± 6.2). Regression analysis confirms that community stigmatization and a lack of formal education options are the strongest predictors of prolonged psychological distress (R² = 0.51, p < 0.001). Conversely, structured participation in traditional community cleansing rituals was strongly associated with better social adaptation scores. The study demonstrates that western-centric clinical models must be closely paired with culturally grounded community practices to optimize healing long past initial disarmament timelines.

Keywords: Forced Combat, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Combatant Reintegration, PTSD, Trauma Tracking, Longitudinal Study, Community Healing

Manuscript Timeline: Received: February 19, 2017; Revised: April 24, 2017; Accepted: May 28, 2017; Published: July 19, 2017

Citation: Kamara, S. M., & Thompson, G. (2017). The Psychological Legacies of Forced Combat: Longitudinal Psychosocial Rehabilitation Outcomes in Post-Conflict States. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 8(7), 721–729. DOI: 10.46882/2017/GJPCS/0000102

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