Emotional profile of children after combat exposure

Abstract

The relevance of this study is underscored by the critical need for a comprehensive analysis of the psychological state of children displaced by armed conflict. Despite the provision of physical safety through temporary relocation, these children remain at high risk of emotional distress caused by prolonged stress, uncertain life circumstances, and the disruption of their familiar social environment. An analysis of cognitive functions, the emotional sphere, and parent-child relationships is therefore essential for determining the priority areas of psychological and pedagogical support. The study aimed to assess the cognitive and emotional status, as well as the attachment characteristics of children residing in a long-term temporary accommodation, with the subsequent goal of developing an adaptation and rehabilitation program. The sample included 31 children (7 boys and 24 girls) aged 6 to 13, all of whom were living with parents or legal guardians. The methodological battery included three components: a neuropsychological examination (Fist-EdgePalm test, a graphic test, and Schulte tables), projective techniques (Drawing of a Non-Existent Animal, Family Drawing) and the Kerns Security Scale (KSS) to identify the attachment type. The research also incorporated participant observation and semi-structured interviews. This multi-method approach enabled the identification of both individual and systemic factors influencing the children’s adaptation. The results showed that a significant proportion of respondents exhibited difficulties in voluntary regulation, depleted cognitive resources, impoverished imagination, and impaired attention switching. The projective techniques were dominated by indicators of anxiety (85.7%), aggression (71.4%), and emotional lability (46.4%), often accompanied by themes of loneliness and threat. In the family drawings, most children depicted a decrease in family favorability, a high level of anxiety, and a perception of conflict. According to the KSS, secure attachment was found in 50% of the children, with 43.3% classified as conditionally secure and 6.7% as insecure. Correlation analysis confirmed significant relationships: cognitive difficulties were associated with a lower need for communication, and an unfavorable family climate was linked to pronounced regulatory disorders and feelings of inferiority. Secure attachment was positively correlated with a favorable perception of family and lower anxiety levels, highlighting its role as a protective factor.