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Effects of War, Terrorism and Armed Conflict on Young Children: A Systematic Review

Michelle Slone1, Shiri Mann2

  • 1School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, PO Box 39040, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel. mich@post.tau.ac.il.

Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|January 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Young children exposed to political trauma, including war and terrorism, can develop PTSD and behavioral issues. Parental mental health and family environment significantly influence these outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Trauma Studies
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Modern warfare disproportionately affects civilian populations, leading to widespread child trauma.
  • Existing research on political trauma in children lacks focus on the unique vulnerabilities of early childhood (ages 0-6).
  • Young children's developmental stage uniquely shapes their perception and experience of traumatic events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review the effects of war, conflict, and terrorism exposure on young children (ages 0-6).
  • To investigate the influence of parental factors on young children's mental health outcomes following political trauma.
  • To identify specific psychological and behavioral responses in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of 35 studies.
  • Inclusion of studies with a total of 4365 young children.
  • Analysis of exposure-outcome associations and moderator effects of parental and family factors.

Main Results:

  • Common effects include Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms, behavioral and emotional disturbances, sleep problems, disturbed play, and psychosomatic symptoms.
  • Parental psychopathology was correlated with children's psychopathology.
  • Family environment and parental functioning moderated the relationship between trauma exposure and child outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Young children exhibit a distinct range of responses to political trauma, including PTSD and behavioral issues.
  • Parental mental health and the family environment are critical factors influencing young children's resilience and recovery from trauma.
  • Further research and targeted interventions are needed to support young children affected by political trauma.

Keywords:
PTSDParental functioningPsychopathologyWarYoung children

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