Experiences and psycosocial impact on soldier boys and girls from the civil war in El Salvador.

Abstract

Exploratory research with 293 excombatants who participated as child soldiers in the El Salvador civil war as FMLN (Marti Front for National Liberation) members or as Armed Forces soldiers was conducted to examine their current living conditions and the impact of past military experience. Although nearly ten years have passed since the peace accords were signed, the excombatant exhibited signs of emotional disturbance. Current underprivileged living conditions and social marginalization were decisive factors which inhibited reentry into civilian life and constituted an important psychosocial impact by placing at risk their integration at the family, community and society levels.