The Long War

The Effect Wars Have on the Mental Health of Children

The long-lasting effect of war and political turmoil manifests itself not only in the rubble, debris, and death tolls but also in emotional and mental turbulence. Though the geographical areas where wars break out vary, their impact almost always does not.

Displacement:

Leaving their homes and neighborhoods to live elsewhere means leaving behind years of joy, love, and memories, and breaking up with their routines. Children’s responses to this trauma differ: Some might show dissociation from reality — they live in their own world where play is the center of attention. Others might reject adapting to the new situation and show anger. The last group demonstrates deep sadness. A study conducted by Prof. Theresa Betancourt (Harvard) on Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees shows that refugee children exhibit more symptoms of grief and phobic disorders compared to non-refugee ones. Another study by Prof. Marian Bakermans-Kranenburg shows that displaced children become more attached to their caregivers and show hyper-anxiety about losing them.

Deprivation:

Children are the most vulnerable group to the adverse impacts of loss, as they are not yet familiar with the most enduring fact of wars — death — and they are highly attached to their parents and loved ones. Researchers Prof. Charles Nelson (Harvard) and Prof. Nathan Fox (Univ. of Maryland) have studied the scars deprivation leaves behind and found that severe deprivation causes reduced cortical volume and

IQ deficits. However, early foster care intervention partially mitigates these effects. Another study by Prof. Andrea Danese on the biological embedding of adversity shows that deprivation and loss result in:

- Risk of developmental delays, cognitive deficits, and psychosis-spectrum disorders (especially with prolonged neglect).

• Likelihood of prolonged grief disorder, major depression, and suicidality in adolescence/adulthood.

Violence:

Violence might be incurred by enemy troops or by the child’s relatives or close ones. As people endure hardships, they tend to be more tense and have less patience. Therefore, children are prone to all sorts of violence — physical, psychological, or even sexual. This abnormal environment takes a toll on the behavioral and mental development of the child.

According to research by Prof. Alicia Lieberman on Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), early exposure to violence impacts:

- IQ: Children subjected to violence have lower IQ levels compared to those who are not.

- Development: Children’s biological development is hindered, and so is their mental development. As a result, they show difficulty in learning.

Wars have a dire effect on our children and their mental health, and it's our responsibility to shield them and provide a secure environment for them.