Psychological impact of armed conflict and forced displacement on children and adolescents

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Introduction Armed conflict and forced displacement disrupt the safety, caregiving, education, and healthcare essential for healthy child development, placing children and adolescents at increased risk for adverse mental health outcomes. This narrative review summarizes the psychological consequences of war and displacement and highlights trauma-informed interventions across different stages of recovery. Methods A narrative review of the literature was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Studies published between January 2000, and January 2025 were identified using keywords related to children, adolescents, armed conflict, war, forced displacement, refugee populations, mental health outcomes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and psychosocial interventions. Relevant English-language articles addressing psychological outcomes and intervention strategies among conflict-affected youth were reviewed and synthesized. Results Across studies, exposure to armed conflict and displacement was consistently associated with elevated rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, behavioral disturbances, sleep problems, and impaired social functioning. Mental health effects were observed during acute crises and often persisted long after conflict exposure, increasing the risk of chronic psychiatric disorders and intergenerational transmission of trauma. Protective factors included stable caregiving relationships, educational continuity, social support, and access to community-based psychosocial services. However, significant disparities in service availability and accessibility were reported, particularly among displaced and refugee populations. Conclusion Armed conflict and forced displacement harm children through direct trauma exposure, disrupted caregiving, loss of educational and social structure, chronic deprivation, and barriers to care, with effects that persist well beyond the acute phase. Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy and narrative exposure therapy have the strongest supporting evidence but are the least scalable in active conflict, whereas group and non-specialist approaches offer reach with more variable effects. Intergenerational transmission is best supported for psychological, familial, and social pathways; biological mechanisms remain preliminary. Stepped, layered, and culturally adapted delivery embedded in schools, families, and primary care is needed.

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