Appraisal of psychosocial interventions in Liberia

Jeannette Lekskes¹, Susan van Hooren², Jos de Beus^3
1 gender specialist and psychologist and works as a consultant and trainer for various development organisations
² psychologist and workingas a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the Open University of the Netherlands
³ consultant on rural and organizational development and the transition from emergency to development. He works in various post conflict countriessuchas Rwanda and DRC

Correspondence Address:
Susan van Hooren
Open University of the Netherlands, department of Psychology, P.O. Box 2960, 6401 DL, Heerlen, The Netherlands.

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

This article presents the methodology and results of a study on the effectiveness of two psychosocial interventions targeting female victims of war-related and sexual violence in Liberia. One intervention provided counselling, the other offered support groups and skill training. Qualitative research suggests that the participants of both interventions were positive with regard to the help provided. Quantitative analyses revealed that counselling was effective in reducing trauma symptoms as compared to the support and skill training and to a waiting list control group. Taking into account the number of women with a high post traumatic stress disorder score, both interventions were effective compared to the control group.