Coping Mechanisms of Children in War Zones

Living in the constant state of uncertainty that characterizes war zones can pose severe challenges to children's psychological well-being. Remarkably, children in war zones often demonstrate an exceptional level of resilience, employing various coping mechanisms to navigate their daily lives.

These strategies range from seeking emotional support to engaging in educational pursuits and creative play. However, not all coping strategies are positive or effective in the long run. This article will explore what a coping mechanism is and provide examples of both positive and negative ones that can be adopted by children in conflict zones.

Understanding Coping Mechanisms

A coping mechanism is a strategy or a set of strategies that individuals use to manage stress, fear, anxiety, and other difficult emotions. It can be a conscious or unconscious way of dealing with emotional conflicts and external stressors, like those found in war zones.

Coping Mechanisms for Children in War Zones

Here are several notable coping strategies children in conflict zones may adopt:

• Peer and Family Support: One of the most powerful coping mechanisms for children in war-torn areas is seeking emotional and physical support from peers and family. This support network can provide a comfort zone that helps buffer the harsh realities of war.
• Finding Solace in Education: Despite their dire circumstances, children often find comfort in pursuing education. Schools and informal learning spaces can offer a semblance of normalcy and routine, providing an escape from the chaos outside.
• Play and Creative Expression: Play is a natural and vital part of childhood, even in conflict settings. Children often use play and creative activities — such as drawing or storytelling — to express their feelings and experiences, fostering resilience.
• Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: Some children may intuitively develop grounding techniques to cope with intense fear or anxiety. These methods involve focusing on physical sensations or the rhythm of their breathing. They can also be taught these techniques by others seeking to help them cope with their situations.
• Religious and Cultural Practices: Religious beliefs and cultural rituals can provide a framework for understanding and coping with adversity. These practices offer comfort, a sense of purpose, and a connection to a larger community.
• Humor and Positive Thinking: Humor can be a crucial coping strategy. Making light of situations helps maintain a sense of positivity and hope. Similarly, children may train themselves to think positively or imagine a better future.
• Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Children often demonstrate high levels of problem-solving skills and adaptability, which are considered good coping mechanisms. These skills allow them to navigate and survive in their challenging environments.
• Emotional Regulation: Children may also learn ways to control and manage their emotions. This strategy could involve suppressing emotions during high-stress situations or expressing them in a controlled manner when safe.

While these mechanisms help children cope, they might not fully protect them from the psychological impact of war. Sometimes, coping strategies might evolve into harmful behaviors — such as substance abuse or aggression — under extreme stress. It's essential to provide professional psychological support to these children to help them develop healthier coping strategies.

Understanding the mental health crisis in the Middle East and the impact of transgenerational trauma in Palestine can further illuminate the challenges these children face.

The Need for Support

It's crucial to note that while the coping mechanisms mentioned above are often effective in the short term, they might not be enough to mitigate the long-term psychological impact of war. Many children in war zones end up developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues due to the conflict they live through, so it is vital to provide them with the necessary support. As such, professional psychological support is necessary to help these children heal and develop more healthy coping strategies.

The resilience of children in war zones — demonstrated through their array of coping mechanisms — is nothing short of inspiring. However, more needs to be done to support their psychological well-being and help them adopt more positive coping mechanisms. The focus should not only be on survival but also on the potential for a stable and fulfilling life beyond the conflict.

The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) continues to provide humanitarian aid and medical relief to children and their families — some of whom are refugees fleeing their home countries — through our pediatric cancer departments, humanitarian aid programs and projects, hospital infrastructure projects, orphan and refugee sponsorships, medical sponsorships, treatment abroad program, and medical missions. These efforts help to ensure that children in need get the vital assistance they require.

Following the bombings of Gaza in 2014, PCRF established a pediatric mental health program to support traumatized children. Since then, we have expanded the program to include the victims of violence and those with diseases like cancer. This program has been helping thousands of children and families in Gaza to better manage the anxiety, stress, and challenges of life under siege and occupation.

PCRF has a committee of volunteer doctors and specialists on our Medical Advisory Board who are dedicated to building up services through training, programs, and guiding PCRF to improve the quality of pediatric care in Palestine, Lebanon, and other areas in the Middle East.

PCRF is not a political or religious organization. Our mission is to provide medical and humanitarian relief collectively and individually to Arab children throughout the Middle East, regardless of their nationality, politics, or religion. We rely on charitable giving to provide medical treatment, surgeries, safety, shelter, and support to children and their families in Palestine and the Levant. Find out how you can get involved and help make a difference in children’s lives today!