Behavioral Economics

The Impact of Abduction and Soldiering on Children

Awarded External Scholars

Christopher Blattman

University of California, Berkeley

Project Date:

December 2005

Award Amount:

$5,000

Summary

Objective:

To assess the social, economic, and psychological impacts of abduction and soldiering on children. In particular, Blattman seeks to understand the relationship between psychological problems arising from war trauma and their later-life economic outcomes and behavior, as well as the determinants of successful reintegration.

The dominant view holds that these youth are traumatized, violent, social pariahs. Blattman’s results challenge some of the conventional assumptions about ex-combatants.

Key Findings:

Abductees exhibit little difference in aggression, and ex-soldiers are found to be socially and psychologically resilient.
Community acceptance of former abductees is high, and they report similar levels of social support as do non-abductees.
Psychological distress is evident among those exposed to severe war violence but is not limited to ex-combatants.
Economic and educational impacts are widespread and persistent: schooling falls by nearly a year, skilled employment halves, and earnings drop by a third.