Abstract

The study investigated factors associated with internalising emotional and behavioural problems among adolescents displaced during the most recent Chechen conflict. A cross-sectional survey (N=183) examined relationships between social support and connectedness with family, peers and community in relation to internalising problems. Levels of internalising were higher in displaced Chechen youth compared to published norms among non-referred youth in the United States and among Russian children not affected by conflict. Girls demonstrated higher problem scores compared to boys. Significant inverse correlations were observed between family, peer and community connectedness and internalising problems. In multivariate analyses, family connectedness was indicated as a significant predictor of internalising problems, independent of age, gender, housing status and other forms of support evaluated. Sub-analyses by gender indicated stronger protective relationships between family connectedness and internalising problems in boys. Results indicate that family connectedness is an important protective factor requiring further exploration by gender in war-affected adolescents.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Betancourt TS, Salhi C, Buka S, Leaning J, Dunn G, Earls F

Institution

Department of Global Health and Population, François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard School of Public Health, 651 Huntington Avenue, FXB Building 7th Floor, Room 709D, Boston, MA 02115, United States. Theresa_Betancourt@Harvard.edu

Source

Disasters 36:4 2012 Oct pg 635-55

MeSH

Adolescent
Child Behavior Disorders
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Mental Disorders
Refugees
Russia
Social Support
Stress, Psychological
War

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22443099