In general, war and environmental turmoil have detrimental effects on the psychological well-being of humans, both adults and children. However, since children are in a crucial stage of development, where their understanding of the world, social relationships, and individual identity are being formed, exposure to violence, loss, insecurity, and the chaos arising from war can have destructive impacts on these processes.

According to Webda - Zanjan; Examining the Psychological and Spiritual Effects of War on Children Aged 8-11 Ye

War and environmental chaos generally have harmful effects on the human psyche, affecting both large and small individuals. Due to the sensitive developmental stage of children, where their understanding of the world, social relationships, and personal identity are in the process of formation, encountering violence, loss, insecurity, and chaos caused by war can leave destructive impacts on these processes. War undermines structural and social foundations that provide a sense of security, creating traumatic experiences that erode the foundations of children's security. This damage to the sense of security can lead to profound and long-lasting behavioral and psychological consequences that may persist into adulthood. Creating safe environments, rebuilding routines, and providing psychological support to help children reconstruct this sense of security is essential.

What Understanding Do Children Have of War?

Children's understanding of war depends on various factors, including age, level of cognitive development, personal experiences, cultural environment, and the level of information they receive from adults. Here, we examine how children of two different age groups perceive war:

 

Preschool Age (3-6 Years)

At this age, children's understanding of war is very limited and often based on sensory observations and immediate experiences. They cannot grasp abstract concepts of war and mostly react to tangible and physical events:

Fear of Sounds and Scenes: Sounds of explosions, gunfire, seeing smoke or destruction, and the presence of armed individuals can be extremely frightening and confusing for them.

Impact on Daily Routines: They notice changes in their daily schedule, such as not going to kindergarten or lacking access to certain toys or foods, but they do not understand the reasons behind these changes.

Self-Centered Focus: Their understanding of danger is typically limited to their personal safety. "Will I get hurt?" or "Will my parents stay with me?"

Play Therapy: They may reenact war experiences in their play, but this serves more as a way to process emotions rather than a real and logical understanding of events.

 

Elementary Age (Ages 7 to 11)

Children in this age group begin to develop a more complex understanding of cause and effect and differentiate between reality and fantasy, yet they still lack a comprehensive understanding of the political or historical dimensions of war:

Understanding Harm and Death: They recognize that war can lead to injury, death, and the loss of loved ones, and this realization can be frightening.

Concepts of "Us" and "Them": They may start to understand the existence of two opposing sides in a war (us vs. them), but this distinction is often simplistic and lacks an understanding of political complexities.

Questioning: They may ask many questions about the reasons for war: Why does this happen? Who started the war? However, political and historical answers may not be comprehensible to them.

Feelings of Insecurity and Anxiety: Their sense of security is severely compromised. They may worry about the future, the safety of their family, and the possibility of losing their home and friends.

Impact of Media: At this age, children may receive information about war through television, the internet, or conversations with adults that can lead to confusion or heightened fear. Graphic images can be especially harmful to them.

Hero Worship: Some children may be influenced by heroic stories and view war as a battle between good and evil, but this is often accompanied by fear of harsh realities.

Regardless of age, there are several common aspects in children's understanding of war:

Damage to the Sense of Security

Loss of Control

Trauma and Stress

 

Understanding how war affects children helps us provide the necessary support to assist them in processing these difficult experiences.

Potential Psychological Harm to Children and Adolescents

Damage to Attachments and Secure Relationships:

The experience of war poses a threat to the loss of secure attachments and relationships. For children, losing a parent, sibling, or friend result in profound psychological trauma. Even the threat of separation from primary caregivers can create a severe sense of insecurity, as parents are the primary refuge for children against dangers.

 

Parents' Difficulties in Supporting Children:

Parents themselves experience stress, trauma, and anxiety in war situations, which can diminish their ability to provide emotional support and create a sense of security for their children.

 

Direct Psychological Effects:

Ongoing Fear and Anxiety: Children are continuously exposed to the fear of death, injury, and the loss of loved ones. This fear can lead to pervasive anxiety and panic attacks.

Reexperiencing Traumatic Scenes and Nightmares: The reemergence of traumatic scenes in the form of nightmares or flashbacks keeps the sense of insecurity alive, even when there is no real danger present.

Hypervigilance: Children may be continuously alert to sounds or movements around them, where even the slightest harmless stimuli can prompt a fearful reaction.

Emotional Numbness: Some children may suppress their emotions to protect themselves from pain. This can lead to social withdrawal and an inability to form deep connections.

Distorted Perception of the World: War alters children’s perspectives on the world. Instead of seeing it as a safe place for exploration and growth, they view it as a location filled with threats and violence.

Feelings of Powerlessness and Helplessness: Children caught in war are victims of circumstances beyond their control, leading to profound feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

Approaches to Supporting Children in Wartime Emergencies

Properly addressing and supporting children during wartime emergencies is crucial for mitigating psychological and emotional harm and aiding their resilience in the future. In these situations, adults—whether parents, caregivers, or aid workers—play a vital role.

 

General Principles of Supporting Children in War:

Maintain Your Own Security and Calm: Children instinctively sense adult anxiety. If you remain calm, it will help to provide them with greater reassurance. Although challenging, strive to manage your feelings and minimize your concerns in their presence.

 

Create a Safe Environment (As Much as Possible):

Physical Security: The primary priority is to protect children from physical harm. This includes seeking shelter from safe locations, avoiding dangerous areas, and ensuring access to basic needs such as water, food, and shelter.

Emotional Security: Even amid physical insecurity, attempt to establish a stable emotional environment. A calm and reassuring tone, physical affection, and physical presence can enhance feelings of safety.

 

Communicate Honestly and Appropriately for Their Age:

Honesty: Instead of hiding the truth, convey information in a way that is comprehensible to children. Lying or denying reality can damage their trust.

Simplification: Use simple and direct language. Avoid complex terms or graphic details.

Answering Questions: Respond patiently and honestly to their questions, even if they are repetitive. If you do not know the answer, say, "I'm not sure, but we will figure it out together."

Reassurance: Tell them that you are doing everything you can to protect them and that they are not alone.

 

Practical Strategies for Supporting Children:

Establish a Normal Routine as Much as Possible: Even in shelters or conditions of displacement, strive to maintain a clear schedule with set times for meals, sleeping, and playing. This routine provides children with a sense of predictability and control, reducing anxiety caused by chaos.

Encourage Expression of Feelings: Allow children to express any emotions they have (fear, sadness, anger, confusion). Let them know that these feelings are natural and they should not be ashamed of them.

Active Listening: Actively listen to their concerns, even if they seem unclear or repetitive. Instead of interrupting or judging, give them space to talk.

 

Reduce Exposure to News and Violence: As much as possible, keep children away from violent scenes, war-related news broadcasts, and anxiety-inducing adult conversations. They cannot filter and process information the way adults do, and images can be extremely distressing for them.

Pay Attention to Signs of Distress: Observe behavioral changes such as bedwetting, thumb-sucking, withdrawal, aggression, sleep issues, or loss of appetite. These symptoms indicate stress and trauma and require additional attention and support.

Children are the most innocent victims of conflicts, exposed to fear, severe anxiety, depression, and nightly nightmares. They lack an understanding of war and complex relationships. Supporting them in these conditions is a daunting and challenging task, but with awareness, patience, and compassion, we can help them navigate through this difficult period and gradually heal their emotional wounds.