Wars and armed conflicts are among the most devastating forms of adversity that communities face. Both indirect and direct exposure to war events can deeply harm the mental health of all community members, including children, adolescents and adults.
Experiences of violence, threats to life, bereavement, displacement, and instability all erode the sense of safety that underpins well-being.
In times of conflict, looking out for one another is incredibly important. In the context of adolescent mental health, this means paying attention to young people’s feelings and behaviours, offering ongoing support and reaching out to professionals when it’s necessary.
This article offers some information on war, conflict and adolescent mental health. It also provides some advice for parents living in areas affected by conflicts and outlines the possible roles of professional support.
How Do War and Conflict Situations Affect Adolescent Mental Health?
Adolescents living in conflict zones are exposed to multiple forms of trauma. They may witness violent and destructive events, including the deaths of loved ones or strangers. They may also hear or see these events online or through other media, or be informed by other people.
Other traumatic events include the loss of a family home and economic or food security.
Even when they’re not directly impacted by the conflict, they may experience constant anxiety about what might happen in the future.
Adolescents whose lives are affected by war are more likely to develop mental health disorders, including PTSD, depression and anxiety. Exposure to severe violence is associated with emotional and behavioural challenges, such as aggression, self-harm and toxic stress.
A systematic review of the mental health of children and adolescents in areas of armed conflict in the Middle East (2011) found that young people living in conflict zones were exposed to high levels of traumatic experiences. Those who experienced more conflict-related traumas faced greater emotional and behavioural challenges.
In Iraq in 2007, research showed that over 10% of children lived with PTSD. Around half of children aged 10-15 had a mental health disorder. Even among children under five, the prevalence of mental health disorders was 29.1%.
The negative consequences of exposure to war are not only psychological: they also impact future relationships, academic functioning and overall life paths.
War-Related Stress and Adolescent Development
Adolescence is a time of development and change. Young people undergo rapid biological, psychological, emotional and social transitions as their brains continue to adapt and develop. Teenagers develop more abstract thinking capacities, become increasingly independent from their families and become more reliant on peer relationships.
When war-related stress and adolescent development intersect, there may be far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. Adolescents’ brains are flexible and adaptable, easily changing in structure in response to their experiences. While this adaptability allows young people to learn quickly and develop new skills, it also makes them more vulnerable to stressful events.
How Do Teenagers Cope with War-Related Stress?
While the psychological impact of war may be, to some extent, unavoidable, certain traits and experiences can help teenagers to cope with conflict situations and offer some protection from mental health symptoms.
On a personal level, resilience and a sense of coherence can help young people recover from traumatic events and manage the everyday stress of a conflict. General stability in everyday life, such as continuing education and hobbies and following routines, is also important, as far as is possible in the given context.
According to a 2018 systematic review, “the basic psychosocial needs of children in the midst of volatility, insecurity and violence are to be kept safe from harm, to maintain some form of normality and routine, and to engage in recreational and playful activities”.
Social support is also fundamental. Studies show that one of the most important protective factors against post-traumatic stress disorder is receiving care, attention and support in the aftermath of a traumatic event. This includes support from parents, friends and the wider community.
War-Related Stress and Adolescent Development
Adolescence is a time of development and change. Young people undergo rapid biological, psychological, emotional and social transitions as their brains continue to adapt and develop. Teenagers develop more abstract thinking capacities, become increasingly independent from their families and become more reliant on peer relationships.
When war-related stress and adolescent development intersect, there may be far-reaching and long-lasting consequences. Adolescents’ brains are flexible and adaptable, easily changing in structure in response to their experiences. While this adaptability allows young people to learn quickly and develop new skills, it also makes them more vulnerable to stressful events.
How Can Parents Support Young People in Conflict Situations?
In areas affected by conflict, parents may be feeling scared, overwhelmed and impacted by trauma. But it’s crucial to continue providing children with responsive care, warmth and support.
This includes:
- Asking young people how they are feeling
- Validating and emphasising with their emotions
- Asking how they would like you to support them
- Making time to spend together and sharing in hobbies or other activities
- Explaining and answering questions about the conflict situation honestly, but in an age-appropriate manner
Maintaining everyday routines, as far as possible, is also important, although this may not be impossible in emergency situations. This might involve:
- Having family meals
- Continuing recreational activities
- Prioritising education
- Following regular sleep schedules
If you’re worried about a young person’s mental health, you should seek additional support as soon as possible. Therapy and other mental health interventions can provide invaluable support for conflict-related stress. Some signs that a teenager is struggling to cope may include:
- Eating or sleeping a lot less or more than usual
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of energy
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Mood swings
- Engagement in risky behaviours
What Interventions Can Protect Adolescents’ Mental Health in Times of Conflict?
Different forms of mental health interventions and treatment approaches can support adolescents’ wellbeing, mental health and resilience in places affected by armed conflict. Approaches that focus on safety and play, community and family capacity building and focused support, including stress management skills, problem solving, emotional regulation, and altruism, may be especially important.
Research also highlights the role of trauma processing (through narrative storytelling or exposure) and cognitive restructuring in specialist interventions.
Some interventions might include:
- Family and community interventions that improve caregivers’ capacities to care for young people
- Treatment approaches, such as family therapy, that strengthen family relationships, including parent-child relationships
- Techniques like psychoeducation, stress management, and problem-solving that improve self-understanding and positive coping
- Trauma-focused therapies that support adolescents in confronting and bearing emotions at the appropriate time
- Narrative and exposure therapies that help young people reprocess and integrate traumatic experiences
The Wave: Specialist Mental Health Support for Young People
The Wave offers transformative mental health support for children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges. We specialise in complex trauma, eating disorders, borderline-personality disorder and other mental health concerns. We emphasise the role of the family as a powerful tool in mental health recovery.
We work with young people and families in Lebanon, Dubai, Kuwait, Bahrain and other areas currently or recently affected by war or armed conflict.
If you’d like to find out more about our programs, get in touch with us today.
