Volume 16, Issue 2 (11-2026)
Clin Exc 2026, 16(2): 1-10 |
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pordel H. Psychological Consequences of Contemporary Middle Eastern Wars and Conflicts on the Mental Health and Resilience of Children and Adolescents: An Integrative Review and Implications for Iran. , Clin Exc. 2026; 16 (2) :1-10
URL: http://ce.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-971-en.html
URL: http://ce.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-971-en.html
Shahed University
Abstract: (43 Views)
Background and Objective: Contemporary wars and conflicts in the Middle East are among the major threats to the mental health of children and adolescents and may have profound effects on their psychological and social development. The present study aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the psychological consequences of Middle Eastern wars and conflicts for the mental health and resilience of children and adolescents and to discuss their implications for Iran.
Methods: This study employed an integrative review design. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and Persian-language databases. Following screening and quality assessment, 20 eligible studies were included in the final synthesis. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis within the theoretical framework of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Masten’s resilience model.
Results: Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties, sleep disturbances, and declines in academic and social functioning were identified as the most common psychological consequences of war. Major risk factors included exposure to violence, death or injury of loved ones, displacement, economic and food insecurity, and exposure to war-related media content. In contrast, family and social support, safe educational environments, cultural cohesion, and access to mental health services were identified as key protective factors that enhance resilience. Furthermore, psychosocial, family-based, school-based, and community-based interventions were found to be effective in mitigating the psychological impacts of war.
Conclusion: The psychological consequences of war are multidimensional and are shaped by the interaction of individual, familial, educational, and social factors. Developing family-, school-, and community-based interventions, alongside promoting media literacy and expanding mental health services, may help reduce the adverse effects of regional conflicts on the mental health of children and adolescents in Iran.
Methods: This study employed an integrative review design. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and Persian-language databases. Following screening and quality assessment, 20 eligible studies were included in the final synthesis. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis within the theoretical framework of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Masten’s resilience model.
Results: Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties, sleep disturbances, and declines in academic and social functioning were identified as the most common psychological consequences of war. Major risk factors included exposure to violence, death or injury of loved ones, displacement, economic and food insecurity, and exposure to war-related media content. In contrast, family and social support, safe educational environments, cultural cohesion, and access to mental health services were identified as key protective factors that enhance resilience. Furthermore, psychosocial, family-based, school-based, and community-based interventions were found to be effective in mitigating the psychological impacts of war.
Conclusion: The psychological consequences of war are multidimensional and are shaped by the interaction of individual, familial, educational, and social factors. Developing family-, school-, and community-based interventions, alongside promoting media literacy and expanding mental health services, may help reduce the adverse effects of regional conflicts on the mental health of children and adolescents in Iran.
Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
روانشناسی
Received: 2026/06/25 | Accepted: 2026/07/27 | Published: 2026/11/1
Received: 2026/06/25 | Accepted: 2026/07/27 | Published: 2026/11/1
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