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Dynamics of Child soldiers’ Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Well-being: Perspectives from Bioecological Systems Theory in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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Abstract

Background research on children associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG) and the analysis of how to facilitate their social reintegration and human development reveals a variety of complex individual and collective challenges with which they are confronted; however, their social and cultural environment, and the risks that may impede their future development and well-being, remain understudied. This empirical research reports the results of descriptive and correlational analyses of data emanating from author-administered interviews, and focus group discussions with 128 CAAFAG and two psychologists working with them in rehabilitation centers in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The entire sample involved relatively young participants (N = 130, M = 17.11, SD = 4.28), with the youngest child aged 11. The outcomes sustain that the psychosocial rehabilitation programme framed within Urie Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory shows promising effects in enhancing CAAFAG’s well-being, human growth; and in reducing potential violent behavior.

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Acknowledgements

The author remains indebted to Durban University of Technology who funded this study under Grant [Student No. 21346772]; and the South African National Research Foundation (NRF) under Grants: Grant UID Nos. 88906 and 106485.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Honorary Research Associate At International Centre of Nonviolence, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, ML Sultan Campus, Box 51159, Durban, 4062, South Africa

    Jean Chrysostome K. Kiyala

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Correspondence to Jean Chrysostome K. Kiyala.

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The author submits that there is no conflict of interest that would affect the credibility and impartiality of this study. All ethical standards pertaining to the involvement of children as source of information were observed and are dully explained in the design and method section.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Kiyala, J.C.K. Dynamics of Child soldiers’ Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Well-being: Perspectives from Bioecological Systems Theory in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 52, 376–388 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01022-4

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