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

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Abstract

Millions of children have been maimed, displaced, orphaned and killed in modern warfare that targets civilian populations. Several reviews have documented the impact of political trauma on children’s mental health but none has focused specifically on young children (ages 0–6). Since developmental factors influence the young child’s perception and experience of traumatic events, this developmental period is characterized by a unique spectrum of responses to political trauma. This systematic review, comprising 35 studies that included a total of 4365 young children, examined the effects of exposure to war, conflict and terrorism on young children and the influence of parental factors on these effects. Results showed that effects include PTSD and post-traumatic stress symptoms, behavioral and emotional symptoms, sleep problems, disturbed play, and psychosomatic symptoms. Correlations emerged between parental and children’s psychopathology and, additionally, family environment and parental functioning emerged as moderators of the exposure–outcome association for children.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, PO Box 39040, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Michelle Slone

  2. School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, PO Box 39040, 6997801, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Shiri Mann

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  1. Michelle Slone
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Correspondence to Michelle Slone.

Appendix: Systematic Appraisal of Quality for Observational Research (SAQOR)

Appendix: Systematic Appraisal of Quality for Observational Research (SAQOR)

Sample

The source of the sample is clearly stated.

O Yes O No O Unclear O N/A

The sampling method is described (e.g., consecutive, clinical, community, convenience).

O Yes O No O Unclear O N/A

Summary. Sample is:

O Adequate (two) O Unclear (one) O Inadequate (none)

Quality of Exposure/Outcome Measurements

Adequate assessment of exposure.

O Yes O No O Unclear O N/A

Adequate measure of outcome(s).

O Yes O No O Unclear O N/A

Summary. Quality of exposure/outcome measurements is:

O Adequate (both) O Unclear (one) O Inadequate (none)

Distorting Influences

Key confounder (reporting agent characteristics) is controlled for/taken into account in the design or analysis.

O Yes O No O Unclear O N/A

Other potential confounders (other stressors, protective factors, previous exposure) are controlled for/taken into account in the design or analysis.

O Yes O No O Unclear O N/A

Summary. Description of influences is:

O Adequate (Key confounder) O Unclear (other Confounders) O Inadequate (none)

Reporting of Data

O Adequate: A clearly stated quantitative statistical analysis

O Unclear: Mostly descriptive statistics, with some analysis

O Inadequate: Only descriptive statistics

Conclusion

Quality of study:

O High (3 or more adequate domains)

O Moderate (two adequate domains)

O Low (1 or less adequate domains)

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Slone, M., Mann, S. Effects of War, Terrorism and Armed Conflict on Young Children: A Systematic Review. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 47, 950–965 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-016-0626-7

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