Child soldiers: mental health cosequences and intervention

Abstract

The active involvement of children in armed conflict around the world is a global issue that affects thousands of boys and girls. However, the amount of studies examining the effects of war on child soldiers’ mental health is still scarce. The aim of this paper is to present an up-to-date review of the principal psychological consequences and intervention programs published on the issue of child soldiers. The results show that the reality in which these children live continues to be dramatic all over the world. One of the main conclusions of this review is the need to tailor intervention programs to the cultural context of the targeted children.