Bouncing back after trauma: music therapy, gender, and mental health in conflict-ridden settings.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of music therapy with songwriting on mental health of vulnerable women and men in conflict-ridden setting settings. We examine the impact on participants' mental health (specifically anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms), the extent to which improvement was sustained for an extended period of time, and whether there were gender differences in improvement. Such an assessment is central in appraising the strength and relevance of mental health services offered to vulnerable populations in post conflict settings.

Psychosocial wellbeing and risk perception of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria: perspectives on the role of social workers.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented a 'double-edged sword' for older adults: not only were they more susceptible to the virus, but its broader consequences also exacerbated other challenges, particularly those related to psychosocial well-being. Limited evidence exists on how older adults perceive the pandemic and its impact on their well-being and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges, particularly in resource-limited settings like Nigeria.

Aim: This study explored older adults' perceived risks regarding COVID-19, its impact on their psychosocial well-being, and the role of social workers in addressing these challenges in Nigeria.

Connecting the experiences of persons with disabilities and social workers in Nigerian care institutions regarding COVID-19 vaccine uptake: a qualitative descriptive-interpretive design.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, persons with disabilities (PWDs) have faced additional disadvantages that have exacerbated their physical and mental health challenges. In Nigeria, where cultural, religious, and informational barriers persist, understanding these factors is critical for improving health interventions, including vaccine uptake among PWDs.

Methods: This study employed a qualitative descriptive-interpretive design to explore the perceptions of PWDs regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine, alongside social workers' views on their roles in facilitating vaccine uptake.

"This is not why we brought our children here!": Tensions and challenges in responding to Adverse Childhood Experiences in African-background refugee families.

Background: Refugee-background children face increased risks of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). However, their access to support services continues to pose significant challenges. A need exists to understand how families and child welfare services respond to ACEs to inform the design of culturally responsive interventions.

Ritualistic child sexual abuse in post-conflict Eastern DRC: Factors associated with the phenomenon and implications for social work.

Ritualistic child sexual abuse (RCSA) is a critical and under-recognised form of child maltreatment prevailing in developing countries. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), children from specific communities suffer complex forms of RCSA perpetrated with extreme brutality by various individuals and groups of conspirators. Although the DRC has achieved significant milestones towards combatting war-related sexual abuse of women and children, disturbing forms of RCSA, notably child kidnapping, rape, child defilement for fetish and superstitious beliefs, child sexual exploitation, and cult-based child marriage persist and affect many victims.