Predictors of coping with posttraumatic stress in children affected by armed conflict

A review of scientific work in the field of optimizing the psychological well-being of children injured during hostilities over the past 20 years is presented. Children who witness combat have been found to be at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder. There are often publications in foreign publications about the need for the prevention and correction of post-traumatic stress in children affected by armed conflicts. Foreign researchers come to an unambiguous conclusion about the influence of the style of family upbringing on the vulnerability of children to stressful influences in the aftermath of military actions. Also, an important factor in the formation of vulnerability to negative impact on the child’s psychic is the level of their resilience and psychological well-being. Based on the results of this review, it can be concluded that stable connections with parents and other referents are an important predictor of post-traumatic growth and psychological well-being of children. Along with the traditional consideration of the problem of post-traumatic stress disorder, the authors also consider a new approach to the interpretation of this concept, which has been defined as complex post-traumatic stress disorder, considering not only the well-known symptoms such as intrusions, rumination, escapism, and inability to control arousal, but also the lack of ability to maintain social relationships with others, regulate one’s own emotions, and a sense of vulnerability. This review will allow further identification of exposure targets for the organization of psychological and pedagogical rehabilitation of war-affected children. Understanding the mechanisms of risk behavior formation and protective factors that lead to impaired psychological health or maladaptation increases the possibility of effective psychological assistance to children.

psychological well-being of children, children affected by armed conflicts, posttraumatic stress, prevention and correction of post-traumatic stress, predictors of coping with posttraumatic stress, post-traumatic growth