Armed conflict, children and institution-based rehabilitation - who decides? A qualitative study on decision making capabilities of children in residential care in the state of Chhattisgarh in India

ABSTRACT In conflict-affected regions across the globe, rehabilitation of children in distress usually comes in the form of residential or institutional care because of various sociocultural peculiarities and infrastructural in-capabilities. Notably, such children are often kept out of decision-making processes that involve their rehabilitation. Subsequently, outcomes get impacted significantly. This study took place in the state of Chhattisgarh in India, where conflict has resulted in the institutionalization of a large number of affected children. A total of 40 such children (10–17 years of age) were interviewed. A narrative methodology was applied for collecting data which was analyzed using narrative thematic analysis. Relationship among the themes was established using the Critical Decision-Making Ecological (DME) approach. The findings suggest that the participants’ agency and decision-making capabilities were largely ignored during the rehabilitation process. This noninvolvement of children left them disoriented, resulting in lower levels of confidence. However, the findings were contrary in the case of children who were allowed positive participation. This study concludes that children’s involvement in decision-making is crucial at the beginning of the rehabilitation process itself. Giving due consideration to their agency while the rehabilitation is underway, could promote positive results.