Perceived Attitudes and Family Re-Integration among Former Child Soldiers in Bunia Ituri Province, DRC
Loading...
Date
2023-11-14
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University
Abstract
The study sought to examine the effect of perceived attitudes and family re-integration among former child soldiers in Bunia, Ituri Province, DRC. The study objectives were; to determine the effect of perceived attitudes on family reunification of former child soldiers in Bunia, Ituri Province, DRC, to evaluate the effect of perceived attitudes on community support of former child soldiers in Bunia, Ituri Province, DRC and to access the effect of perceived attitudes on psychological support of former child soldiers in Bunia, Ituri Province, DRC. The study was based on Self-perception theory. This study used descriptive survey design. Descriptive surveys were dedicated to the collection of data concerning predominant situations that affect people in everyday life. The study also employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study used both questionnaires and interviews as the main data collection methods. According to the police records about 183 households were identified as having child soldiers in Bunia Ituri province DRC, the study was concentrated on the households with former child soldiers. The population for the focus group discussions included; government officials (Ministry of Defense), former child soldiers, family members for former child soldiers in Bunia, selected staff at Association des jeunes pour le development communautaire (AJEDEC) who work with child soldiers in reintegrating them back into society and reunite them with their families. A sample size of 126 respondents was determined using Solveneās formula. The results of regression for the first objective analysis since the sig. value (0.001) was less than 0.05 and which is the maximum level of significance required to declare a significant effect. This implies that perceived attitudes highly contributes to the family reunification of former child soldiers in Bunia, Ituri Province, DRC, second objective this is clear from the slope (B) coefficient (1.122), and the p-value (0.200) which is higher than the study significance level (0.05). This result provided evidently shows that perceived attitude has a negative impact on community support towards former child soldiers in Bunia Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Lastly since the sig. value (0.000) was less than 0.05 and which is the maximum level of significance required to declare a significant effect. This implies that perceived attitude affects the psychological support towards former child soldiers in Bunia, Ituri Province, DRC. The study concluded that community support can also be instrumental in the reintegration of former child soldiers with their families and communities. Reintegration programs often aim to find a constructive social role for the former child soldier. Before community healing can occur a more comprehensive approach is needed to remedy many systemic problems in war zones such as the short supply of water, food, shelter and other basic necessities. There is often a lack of professional, institutional, and economic support for this form of family and community reintegration. The study recommends that government of DRC and International Community (UN/AU/Regional Organizations) initiate as soon as possible, an inclusive regional peace agreement that addresses the question of nationality of the Banyamulenge and the repatriation of foreign armed groups from the DRC and plan and implement peace education programs for the Congolese population and their leaders to enhance their levels of tolerance and respect for others.
Description
A Dissertation Submitted To the College Of Humanities and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of a Master of Arts in Social Work and Social Administration of Kampala International University
Keywords
Attitudes, Family Re-Integration, Former Child Soldiers, Bunia Ituri Province, DRC