“Children of War”: Examining the Associations between War Exposure, Maternal PTSD, and Continuous Traumatic Stress on Israeli Children’s PTSD

Children in war-torn areas are highly susceptible to post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), influenced by direct exposure to war and maternal PTSS. This risk is further heightened by continuous traumatic stress (CTS). However, the relationship between war exposure, maternal PTSS, CTS, and PTSS in children, particularly in different age groups, has not been extensively studied. The current study investigated Israeli children, with a specific focus on treatment-seeking preschoolers (ages 3–7) and school-aged children (ages 8–12). The sample included 220 dyads of children aged 3–12 and their parents, who were seeking treatment for children’s PTSS after the October 7th terrorist attack. They underwent a clinical assessment including sociodemographic information and filled out validated self-report and parent-report questionnaires assessing PTSS. Overall, 69% of preschoolers and 49.2% of school-aged children exhibited probable PTSD, along with 32.4% of their mothers. Maternal PTSS significantly predicted PTSS in preschoolers (b = 0.24, SE = 0.14, p <.01), whereas war exposure significantly predicted PTSS in school-aged children (b = 0.81, SE = 3.84, p <.05). The relationship between CTS condition and children’s PTSS was indirectly associated through maternal PTSS, solely among preschool children (b = 4.81, SE = 1.78, 95% CI [1.84, 8.69]). The study highlights early intervention’s need to target age-specific vulnerabilities to PTSS in children. It stresses the importance of enhancing parental skills and improving children’s resilience towards current and future traumas, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Healthcare services should provide trauma-focused treatment for parents and children to prevent exacerbating symptoms.