Trajectories of internalizing problems in war-affected Sierra Leonean youth: examining conflict and postconflict factors

TitleTrajectories of internalizing problems in war-affected Sierra Leonean youth: examining conflict and postconflict factors
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsBetancourt, T. S., R. McBain, E. A. Newnham, and R. T. Brennan
Three waves of data from a prospective longitudinal study in Sierra Leone were used to examine internalizing trajectories in 529 war-affected youth (ages 10-17 at baseline; 25% female). Latent class growth analyses identified 4 trajectories: A large majority of youth maintained lower levels of internalizing problems (41.4%) or significantly improved over time (47.6%) despite very limited access to care, but smaller proportions continued to report severe difficulties 6 years postwar (4.5%) or their symptoms worsened (6.4%). Continued internalizing problems were associated with loss of a caregiver, family abuse and neglect, and community stigma. Despite the comparative resilience of most war-affected youth in the face of extreme adversity, there remains a compelling need for interventions that address family- and community-level stressors.
Title Trajectories of internalizing problems in war-affected Sierra Leonean youth: examining conflict and postconflict factors
Publication Title Child Dev
Publication Type Journal Article
Published Year 2013
Authors T.S. Betancourt; R. McBain; E.A. Newnham; R.T. Brennan
Accession Number 23002719
Number 2
ISBN Number 1467-8624 (Electronic)<br/>0009-3920 (Linking)
Grant List
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