Mental health problems, family functioning and social support among children survivors of Colombia’s armed conflict

Abstract

Purpose Colombia presents with one of the largest armed conflicts in the world. Children exposed directly or indirectly to armed conflicts live the emotional footprints left by war. This paper aims to identify mental health problems among children survivors of Colombia’s armed conflict and associated factors. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional study with (n = 80) children aged 7 to 11 years (M = 9.8 years; SD = 1.4) was conducted using the Child Behavior Checklist, Family APGAR and MOS social support survey adaptation to children. Linear regression analyses were also performed with emotional and behavioral problems as the outcomes and related factors as the predictors. Findings Clinical levels of emotional and behavioral problems were found in 56.3% of children. Internalizing problems (63.7%) were more common than externalizing problems (51.2%). Older children had greater emotional problems at the trend level, and those with higher functioning families had lower emotional problems. Children with higher perceived social support had lower behavior problems at the trend level. Research limitations/implications This study includes a sample facing multiple risks and uses a holistic approach to consider family and social resources that may support children who are survivors of the armed conflict in Colombia. These results provide a foundation for future promotion and prevention programs related to children’s mental health problems to support peacebuilding within the framework of the Colombian post-conflict process. Originality/value To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to collect empirical data on the mental health of children survivors of Colombia’s armed conflict focused in the Atlantic Department.

Family and Social Variables Associated with Family Health

“…Other studies that have used the MOS Social Support Survey suggest that social support is related to family functioning (Sánchez-Villegas et al, 2021), marital status (Coyle, 2011), or family functionality (Casanova-Rodas et al, 2014). For nurses and professionals working with families, social support would then represent a key point of reinforcement to maintain and improve family health by promoting healthy, close, and available social support relationships.…”

Family functioning but not social capital is associated with better mental health in adolescents affected by violence and displacement by armed conflict in Colombia

“…Notably, several of these studies also reported that factors relating to social support were associated with better mental health outcomes in adolescents affected by violence and displacement cross-sectionally. Sánchez-Villegas et al (2021) reported family functioning and social support was associated with fewer emotional and behavioural problems, Sánchez Acosta et al (2019) reported the same factors reduced the odds of CIDI diagnosed mental health problems, suicidal behaviour and substance use, and Gaias et al (2019) reported positive school climate reduced the risk of externalising behaviours. Using the 2015 NMHS dataset, Gómez-Restrepo et al (2021) reported that family dysfunction and economic disadvantage was associated with increased self-recognition of mental health problems in Colombian adolescents.…”

Children’s Reactions to War, Armed Conflict and Displacement: Resilience in a Social Climate of Support

“…Social and emotional support and having good social relations were shown to contribute to less depression symptoms [11 ••, 80••], reduced PTSS and anger [6], less behavior problems [81], greater optimism and satisfaction with life [53••], and greater post-traumatic growth [60]. Key protective factors were youth supportive relationships and social participation [81]; neighborhood attachment, such as having a close friend, which was associated with optimism and life satisfaction [53••]; and social cohesion, such as feeling part of a group and spending time with friends, which was associated with better self-reported health [53••]. In addition, community coherence and community support resources were resilience factors explaining various mental health problems, including internalizing and externalizing problems and PTSD [40••].…”