Mental health and adaptation of young Liberians in post-conflict Liberia: a key informant's perspective

Abstract

Civil wars have been raging in regions of Africa, bringing tremendous emotional and physical mayhem and destruction to populations and infrastructures. Much attention has been given to descriptions of child soldiers and the war, but little is known about the circumstances of young Liberians in post-conflict situations. This study explores the ways in which young Liberians are surviving in the post-conflict Liberian context. We used qualitative data collected in Liberia using key informants focusing on individuals who work with young Liberians. We found that young Liberians are suffering from trauma and are engaging in violence, substance abuse, and sexual violence. They have also developed mechanisms for survival that include a high level of adultification, a phenomenon by which young people take on adult responsibilities. Key informants felt that young Liberians have problems respecting authority and accepting help. Furthermore, they are influenced by negative peers. These behaviors increase young Liberians' participation in high-risk behaviors, exacerbate existing trauma, and raise serious questions about the rebuilding of Liberia.

A mental health needs assessment of children and adolescents in post-conflict Liberia: results from a quantitative key-informant survey

“…The study was conducted between March 30 and April 30, 2009, with 171 local KIs. A qualitative study using the same sample has been published previously (Dominguez et al, 2013 ; Levey et al, 2013 ). Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/Harvard Medical School collaborated with the Liberian MOHSW and Mother Patern College of Health Sciences School of Social Work (Mother Patern) to produce and analyze the survey.…”

“…Recent studies have found that Liberian youth are coping with a number of war-related mental health problems including substance abuse, hopelessness and suicidal ideation, but face challenges due to a lack of infrastructure and support and unwillingness to accept help (Dominguez et al, 2013 ). They often turn to survival strategies such as adultification and selling petty trade and sex, which may systematically exacerbate trauma-related problems, rather than help ameliorate them.…”

Current state of the literature on mental health in Liberia: A systematic review

“…Five manuscripts 3 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 (23.8%) reported vulnerability factors amongst Liberian adolescents, whilst also describing needs inherent in this population. Many of these vulnerabilities stem from exposure to conflict, as well as daily experiences in post-conflict society.…”

The impact of transactional sex with teachers on public school students in Monrovia, Liberia – a brief report

“…One concerning risky sexual behavior for adolescent girls in LMICs is transactional sex. Research in sub-Saharan Africa has documented transactional sexual relationships beyond the Western notion of ‘prostitution,’ which includes sexual acts between adolescent girls and older men in exchange for money, gifts and/or services which may not be directly tied to specific sexual acts (Atwood et al, 2011; Atwood et al, 2012; Dominguez et al, 2013; Jones & Norton, 2007; Luke, 2003). …”