The Impact of War on the Development of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Context: War exposes children to severe trauma (e.g., bombings or the loss of loved ones), leading to significant psychological harm, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study aimed to review existing evidence on the role of war in the development of PTSD among children and adolescents. Evidence Acquisition: The research employed a narrative review and secondary study design. Keywords such as war, PTSD, trauma, children, and adolescents were used in combination for the literature search. The search was conducted across four international databases — Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar — covering publications from 2016 to 2025. Results: The review identified 17 studies, three of which were longitudinal and 14 cross-sectional. Sample sizes ranged from 81 to 1,078 participants. Among the selected studies, the majority (8 studies) focused on Palestinian children and adolescents. The prevalence of PTSD among children and adolescents affected by war and its direct consequences varied significantly, ranging from 95% (Russia-Ukraine war) to 6% (Israeli regime’s attacks on Palestinians). Conclusions: Based on the findings of this review, global health policymakers must prioritize comprehensive mental health programs during wars and humanitarian crises — particularly by ensuring immediate and long-term psychological support for displaced children and adolescents.