Impact of War on Children

This assignment explores the impact of war on children, including their experiences with resource loss, acculturative stress, and caregiver-child relationships. The provided references include academic articles and books that discuss the topic from various perspectives, such as the effects of a stress management intervention in elementary school children, the role of attachment and emotion regulation in psychosocial interventions among war-affected children, and the impact of war on family enrichment adventure therapy. The assignment aims to prepare a good report by highlighting correct areas based on the references provided.

JOURNAL ARTICLE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
JOURNAL ARTICLE.....................................................................................................................1
Effects of war on children............................................................................................................1
Development of individual affecting how he or she will cope with trauma of war....................2
Factors within the micro system of family affecting how children cope with experience of war
.....................................................................................................................................................3
Factors with the ecosystem of family affecting how children cope with experience of war.......5
Factors within the macro system of the culture affecting how a child will cope with trauma of
war...............................................................................................................................................5
Effect of the intensity, duration and suddenness of war on a child’s coping skills.....................6
Implications for practice..............................................................................................................6
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
War causes psychological trauma in the life of children. Kids have to go through from
critical situations and they get disaster experiences in such situations (Leavitt and Fox, 2014).
The purpose of present study is to identify effects of war on broods in war conditions.
Furthermore, it will determine factors within micro system of family affecting children to cope
with experience of war. In addition, it will analyze the effect of intensity, duration and
suddenness of war on a child’s coping skills. Report will include reflection of own experience of
working on this topic.
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Effects of war on children
War is the critical state of affairs that affect individual’s life to a great extent. It causes
horrifying experiences for adults and children both. This is the situation that causes long term
psychological damage to kids (Elder, 2018). During World War (WW) 1 and 2, many of the
soldiers have suffered with post traumatic stress syndrome because of terror of war. Kids need to
be dependent upon their parents and adults for care, empathy or love. But at the time of battle,
parents fail to pay more attention on their children. Unavailability of love and emotions create
situation of depression for small kids. At the time of world War1 and 2, many broods have lost
their parents and they have been sent to orphanage (Punamäki and et.al., 2015). Most of the
people have to live in refugee situations at that time.
War is the crucial circumstance that adversely affects childhood of individuals. There are
many kids who have lost opportunity to get further education because of war situations. There
are many children who have met with injuries during war. Trauma, disability and illness are the
most common impact of war on children. It is essential for kids to get protective environment so
that they can grow well. Palestinian children have looked throwing stones and blocking roads
(Betancourt and et.al, 2015). This creates psychological consequences on Israeli children. War
has caused psychological trauma for kids and their minds get confused by seeing such terrifying
scenes. Most of the kids face emotional pain because of losing their parents and family members
in war.
During World War 2, maltreatment has been done with kids and subtle harm is done to
children. It is reported that kids between 6 months to 4 years get affected majorly by such
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situations (Carpenter, 2016). They have to gone through with greatest risk of psychopathology
trauma. Such small kids fail to understand such violence situations and it may cause
posttraumatic stress disorder among them. Many times, such children lose their communities and
family. After that, they have to live a refugee’s life (A Bioecological Model of Mass Trauma:
Individual, Community, and Societal Effects, 2011). During WW 2, many broods responded to
blackouts and air raids. In such critical situation, many of the brood suffered with dangers
diseases, kids suffered from serious illness because of malnutrition (Hinton, 2016). War impacts
adversely to kids due to which social-cultural changes occur in their lives. They have to move
away from their own society to other places. This makes them alone and isolated from the
society.
Development of individual affecting how he or she will cope with trauma of war
Development of kids get affected those who have faced horrifying experiences during war.
Schools play significant role in mitigating the trauma effects of children. They get education
about security measures and prevention techniques so that they can come out of their
trauma.This education enhance their confidence so that they become able to deal with such
critical situations well (Kira and Tummala-Narra, 2015). Teaching experiences boost self esteem
of the individual and make them able to deal with such crucial things properly. Schools provide
care giving environment to children and make them able to get adjusted in modern social system
easily.
Kids understand the quarries and tensions of their parents. If family members give proper
response to their children then they will be able to deal with such critical state of affairs
effectively. In the war situations parents feel worried for own and children’s lives that is why
they do not pay close attention to their kids (Bothe, Grignon and Olness, 2014). In such
condition individual feel alone and don’t get love from their parents. Correct response from the
parents is the appropriate solution that can support in decreasing stress level of brood and can
make them able to cope up with trauma. Child’s exposure is another great strategy that is helpful
in cope with trauma of war. In such type of critical situations individual sometimes have to leave
a refugee’s life theta makes them isolated from society. Death of family members makes them
alone. In such situations child may face difficulties in living their life happily (Impact of War on
Children and Imperative to End War, 2006). If in such condition, individual gets chance of
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exposure then confidence of person can be boost up and it will make them able to deal with
trauma appropriately.
During war, kids go through from huge psychological trauma that makes them difficult to
live a normal life (A Bioecological Model of Mass Trauma: Individual, Community, and Societal
Effects, 2011). They may suffer from mental disorder of any kind of physical illness. In order to
deal with this issue it is essential for the higher authorities that to create healthy workplace
environment for the kids those who have faced any injury during war. They need to organise
counselling sessions for them so that these kids can come out of their trauma and can live a
healthy life (Bothe, Grignon and Olness, 2014). Culture and religion mixture can support person
in cope up with trauma. Religion training supports the kids in understanding new culture, by this
way they would be able to live in a new atmosphere and will be able to live a routine life.
Government and non-governmental firms have to work together for the betterment of children
those who are suffering from trauma due to war condition.
Factors within the micro system of family affecting how children cope with experience of war
Parents are required to cope with the stress full situations of war strongly, this is the way
that can give positive energy to the kids and they will be able to manage their stress effectively
(A Bioecological Model of Mass Trauma: Individual, Community, and Societal Effects, 2011). If
in crucial circumstances kids get positive response from mothers and get proper care from them
then it will help them in managing their trauma. In such condition if kids have to go to other
palace and have to live far away from their mother father then they will not feel lonely ,they will
cope-up with such situations well (Leavitt and Fox, 2014). But if mothers are unable to provide
them protective shield then these kids will not be able to deal with such type of war situations.
Reaction of parents is the significant factor that influences the mind of individuals. If
mother father are showing pain or fear to kids then children will copy their pattern (Ecological
integrated model of children of war: individual and social psychology, 1992). Anxiety passes
from parents to kids. But if family members deal with kids properly and give them positive
reaction then they will be confident and will deal with such conditions bravely (Betancourt and
et.al, 2015).
There are many factors that determine coping ability of children: capability of broods to
assimilate experience of separation of father, relationship between parents and response of
mother in particular war situation (Carpenter, 2016). It has been identified that if mother is able
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to deal with critical circumstances well then kids will tend to cope adequately. Emotional state of
kids is highly related with preoccupation state and reassuring presence of parents. There are
many kids those who have faced war situations and have faced trauma of war but they have
reestablished contact with family. Family of children acts as buffer or neutralizing factor that
boost the person to deal with hard state of affairs well and mitigate symptoms of stress.
Figure 1: Bioecological model of mass trauma
(Source: A Bioecological Model of Mass Trauma: Individual, Community, and Societal
Effects, 2011)
Close family relationship works as beneficial factor that always support in dealing with
tough situations well and minimizing stress level. If parents have healthy relationship then this
passes to their next generation as well. By this way, kids develop their emotional state and learn
to deal with trauma situations well (Betancourt and et.al., 2015). Relationship acts as major
mitigating strategy against massive trauma. Religious group or community support is another
most important factor under the micro system. It ensures that support from community members
builds confidence of the person and help them in dealing with trauma of war successfully. By
this way in tough situation as well, individual can feel confident and can cope-up with hard
conditions (Punamäki and et.al., 2015).
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Factors with the ecosystem of the family affecting how children cope with experience of war
| Community believes regional values impact on the wellbeing of children to great extent.
If the kids have been grown in situation where they have to live under huge pressure then they
become negative and their confidence get down. But moral supports, positive culture assist them
in cope with the trauma of war.
Poverty, social inclusions are considered as essential elements of eco system that impact on
the health and development of individual to great extent. Parents need to ensure that they create
healthy environment frothier kids so that they become able to deal with critical situations well.
Factors within the macro system of culture affecting how a child will cope with trauma of war
War can severely affect children and they have to cope with trauma of war, so that they are
able to live peacefully (Neuenfeldt, 2016). Their parents have to help them in dealing with these
situations and there are many macro system factors that can affect the way a child copes. It has
been seen that a child's ability to deal with trauma depends on their resources, culture which
include religious beliefs, political ideology, value towards violence and characteristics that deal
with their development during the war. It was observed that, when persons of similar ethnic
backgrounds were present together, they felt that their mental health was protected. They used
coping methods that were active and courageous as they were encouraged and appreciated. It had
helped them in psychologically healing the experience of trauma. Older children that were jailed
believed that their political and ideological commitment gave them strength to endure poor jail
conditions and they used a coping strategy where in it was believed that prison sentence was in
their destiny (Zille, 2016). Others felt that they were obliged to affiliate with the national
struggle and they should be patriotic towards their country during the war.
A child's religion and culture can shape the way they deal with trauma. Teachings of their
religion helps them in psychologically reacting to various situations, which encourages and
motivates them to live their life. Worshiping their respective God and believing that they will be
safeguarded in society gave them assurance of their well being. Children were less stressful as
they had confidence and believed that situations were under control. This method of coping with
war trauma helped them significantly (Eloranta and et.al., 2017). They had faith in their belief
system and found a place where peace of mind could be attained. Parents play a key role in
helping their child overcome traumatic experiences. Their support proved to be extremely
helpful as they taught children how to pray and gave them the assurance that they can overcome
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war trauma. The friends of children too, help and provide them with guidance that aid in process
of coping. This builds the development in a child, which will give them characteristics and
values that they will carry ahead in their life (Norton and et.al., 2017).
It was observed that a child's attitude towards violence within their culture greatly
impacts the way they respond to trauma that has been caused by war. Extreme violence can
cause the worth of children to degrade, which leads to high suffering due to trauma that the child
has to deal with. If a child has a positive mindset towards violent acts, they can easily cope with
traumas that they face, but a negative perspective can cause heavy destruction, psychologically.
These macro system of culture affect the way a child copes with trauma of war differently. Every
child behaves and reacts to violent situations in different manners and their coping strategies are
defined by their belief system, culture and values that they have be taught. This can only be
successful, if they have been provided with a positive environment despite the ongoing war.
Effect of the intensity, duration and suddenness of war on a child’s coping skills
During World War 1 and 2 many of the kids have lost their ability to cope up with trauma
of such critical situations. Continuous inhuman circumstances increases fear among them and
they fail to deal with hard situation properly. During that situation many of the parents react
negative and they afraid from this state, in such situation kids show their fear and can feel upset
because of separation from their parents (Neuenfeldt, 2016). In such condition their cognitive
skills may get affected badly, they might refuse to eat, this will decrease their weigh.
Kids less than 6 years many cause toileting issue, sleeping problems, separation anxiety
issues. But when families give positive response to them then kids perceive good things and they
bravely deal with such situation, they remain healthy and their cognitive development does not
get affected (Zille, 2016).
Implications for practice
It is a fact that trauma of war creates emotional consequences among kids. Due to
emotional breakdown, they suffer from mental issues, anxiety, social isolation, etc. It causes
depression in many small kids and they get traumatic dreams that result in their inability to sleep
in brood. Sometimes, individuals suffer from matic illness and they try to commit suicide as
well. Such offspring those who have gone through such horrible experience failed to give their
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attention to other things (Eloranta and et.al., 2017). Generally, children who have seen conditions
of war behave aggressively.
Ecological model concentrates on significance of cultural values and effective
communication among all individuals. If traumatized broods are able to communicate their views
well and express their feelings then they will be able to cope with such critical condition which
will help them in minimising consequences of war on mental and physical status. Conventional
family therapy is considered as the most effective solution. By this way, kids can deal with such
bad conditions appropriately and live a normal life (A Bioecological Model of Mass Trauma:
Individual, Community, and Societal Effects, 2011).
REFLECTION
Present study was based on ecological integrated model of children of war: Individual
and social psychology. I have worked as volunteers social workers in society, I have realised that
there are many kids and families those who have faced bad experiences during war. Many kids
are living a life of refugees. This was very interesting topic for me and I wanted to conduct study
on such type of subject. I am a research student and this topic was provided by my university. I
have learned that most of parents have fear of violence and they fail to pay more attention on
their kids during such type of conditions. It was such as serious problem I have found that has
adversely impact on psychology of the society members. From my experience I have found
about this project and have identified actual impact on war on individual and social psychology.
Initially I found many issues to conduct study on this topic, though I was having knowledge of
this topic but I was unaware with the actual research principles. My supervisors and peer group
members have supported me a lot. They have raised my confidence and improve my moral as
well. Their support and coordination has aided me in finding out the actual fact related to war
and psychological impact.
It was very difficult for me to deal with people those who have gone through horrifying
experiences during war. I have searched about the adults those who have faced physical, mental
pressure during that period. I have got huge support from ECU learning services. Student affairs
programs of ECU help in developing leadership skill of person and assist them for their
emotional growth. ECU learning offers broad range of supportive services so that individual can
raise their knowledge and can gain actual experience of situations. This academy has supported
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main fulfilling my learning needs and I have become able to gain more information about
ecological integrated model of children of war: Individual and social psychology. This learning
has improved my communication skills and has raised my confidence as well. Now I am able to
deal with critical conditions well.
I have applied latest software for removing errors and proof reading of entire project.
These techniques have helped in minimising errors and preparing this project in efficient manner.
I have used web sources and other research papers in order to raise my information about topic.
Turnitin process has supported me in finding original reports and highlighting the major parts of
impact of war on kids. Language of Turnitin process was very simple and easy to understand.
The entire tutors were very supportive and familiar. These things have helped me in becoming
familiar with the process.
I have been informed that if we have to prepare a large document then there are high
chances to make errors. Tutnitin has helped me in involving right studies in my paper and
highlight such material that match with the database. By this way I have added these previous
studies in appropriate manner and have rephrased writing properly. I was encouraged to check
each draft before submitting it to higher authority. Thus, I have made discussion with my
supervisors regarding thesis that I used in my study, they always suggest me for improving my
referencing and writing. Turnitin process was beneficial for me because in this Turnitin link does
not save the work on original database, it allows researcher to submit their work multiple times.
If I wanted to make changes in my study then I was allowed to do the same and resubmit it
again. All these things have made me familiar with this project and I become able to finish my
report within specified period of time.
I have good technical knowledge and my communication skills are my strong points.
Both these skills have supported me in carrying out this research in efficient manner. I have
deeply research about situations of war and how these things have impact on kids. I have realised
that war has caused psychological damage to the children and adults as well. I have learned
about state of affairs of world war1 and 2. I have improved my research skill to great extent; I
understood the significance of involving right literature in thesis. But still I feel that I need to
improve my presentation skill, recently I am unable to present myself well. I feel under confident
and hesitate to present my views in front of others. Furthermore, I have to improve my writing
skills, it has been identified that I made many mistakes that is why my supervisors have said me
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to make changes many times. I need to work on my languages and will have to prepare the paper
by using appropriate words.
In order to improve my lacking skills, I will attend seminars. There are many
professionals those who give seminars on their specified areas. By attending these seminars I
would be able to know the best way to present myself in front of large audience. Furthermore, I
will take guidance from my senior authorities so that they can guide me well. For improving my
language I will join coaching where I can know the uses appropriate words. In addition, I will
search more on Google about significant ways to conduct a research, this searching will raise my
research skills and I will become a good scholar. I will share my views with them and will make
them aware with guidance of supervisors, so that they also take timely guidance with the higher
authorities. This will aid in preparing a good project.
I have learnt a lot from this project and have improved my skills to great extent. I got to
know about my strength and weakness and ways to improve my lacking points. I will advice to
ECU student to involve right thesis in their research that can be relevant to subject matter. By
this way they will be able to raise their knowledge and will be able to prepare a good thesis. I
will suggest them to rephrase study in appropriate manner. I will advice them to use correct
words so that meaning can be easily understood by others.
CONCLUSION
From the above article, it can be concluded that war is the critical situation that impacts
on children and adults both. It is essential for the families that to treat their kids well and create
positive environment for them. This will support them in cope up with the trauma of war.
Researcher need to involve right studies in their project that are relevant with the subject matter
and have to highlight correct areas. This can support in preparing a good report.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Betancourt, T. S. and et.al., 2015. We left one war and came to another: Resource loss,
acculturative stress, and caregiver–child relationships in Somali refugee families.
Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. 21(1). pp.114.
Bothe, D. A., Grignon, J. B. and Olness, K. N., 2014. The effects of a stress management
intervention in elem Factors within the ecosystem of the family affecting how children
cope with experience of war entary school children. Journal of Developmental &
Behavioral Pediatrics. 35(1). pp.62-67.
Carpenter, R. C., 2016. 'Innocent Women and Children': Gender, Norms and the Protection of
Civilians. Routledge.
Elder, G. H., 2018. Children of the great depression. Routledge.
Eloranta, S. J. and et.al., 2017. The role of attachment and emotion regulation in the psychosocial
intervention among war-affected children. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma. 10(4).
pp.301-314.
Hinton, E., 2016. From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime. Harvard University Press.
Kira, I. A. and Tummala-Narra, P., 2015. Psychotherapy with refugees: Emerging paradigm.
Journal of Loss and Trauma. 20(5). pp.449-467.
Leavitt, L. A. and Fox, N. A., 2014. The psychological effects of war and violence on children.
Psychology Press.
Neuenfeldt, C. M., 2016. Trauma, humor, and coping (Doctoral dissertation, The University of
the Rockies).
Norton, C. L. and et.al., 2017. Family Enrichment Adventure Therapy: A Mixed Methods Study
Examining the Impact of Trauma-Informed Adventure Therapy on Children and Families
Affected by Abuse. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma. pp.1-11.
Punamäki, R. L. and et.al., 2015. Trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) after
major war among Palestinian children: Trauma, family-and child-related predictors.
Journal of affective disorders. 172. pp.133-140.
Zille, H., 2016. Not without a fight: the autobiography. Penguin Random House South Africa.
Online
A Bioecological Model of Mass Trauma: Individual, Community, and Societal Effects. 2011.
[PDF]. Available through: <https://www.apa.org/education/ce/mass-trauma.pdf >.
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Ecological integrated model of children of war: individual and social psychology. 1992. [Pdf].
Available through:
<http://192.168.1.18/projectfiles/internal_cust_document/casestudy_1536165434.pdf>.
Impact of War on Children and Imperative to End War. 2006. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2080482/>.
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