A recent study published in the *International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice* reveals that parental emotional support can significantly protect children from anxiety and distress during wartime, even when parents are experiencing trauma themselves. Conducted by a team of researchers including Dr. Mor Kleynikov and Prof. Dana Lassri from the Hebrew University, alongside Prof. Noga Cohen, Dr. Joy Benatov from the University of Haifa, and Prof. Reuma Gadassi-Polack from Bar-Ilan University and Yale University, the study highlights the critical role of emotional communication in fostering resilience among children amid conflict.
The research, which gathered data about a month after the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack during the Israel–Hamas war, surveyed 318 parents of children aged 5 to 18, with a majority (76%) being women and an average participant age of 40. Many reported significant exposure to the ongoing conflict, yet the findings offer a hopeful perspective on familial bonds under extreme stress.
Key Findings Illustrate Importance of Parental Support
The study underscores that parents can still serve as vital emotional resources for their children, even when they are themselves traumatized. A central finding is that the more parents engaged in open emotional dialogue, validated their children’s negative feelings, and facilitated problem-solving, the greater their children’s resilience became.
The research presents a refreshing message: supportive parenting positively influences children’s well-being, regardless of parental trauma. As the researchers note, “You don’t need to be a ‘perfect parent’ to protect your child—what matters most is the parent’s ability to listen and give space to feelings.”
Moreover, the study emphasizes that family relationships can act as a robust protective factor. In environments characterized by severe external threats, the emotional bond between parent and child can create a safe haven, allowing children to navigate an otherwise distressing reality.
Implications for Trauma-Informed Parenting Programs
The findings advocate for the development and implementation of trauma-informed parenting programs that provide accessible, evidence-based tools to enhance children’s emotional well-being. Such programs could be transformative, not only during periods of war but also in times of ongoing stress.
The researchers recommend integrating their findings into educational and therapeutic initiatives designed for parents in conflict zones. By incorporating adaptive interpersonal emotion regulation techniques, these programs can offer everyday emotional support and mitigate the long-term psychological effects of trauma on children.
In conclusion, this study sheds light on the resilience of children during warfare and the pivotal role parents play in fostering emotional security. As researchers assert, “It is possible to provide parents with practical tools to support their children emotionally, and thereby prevent psychological decline in an entire generation.” Such insights may prove invaluable in addressing the mental health needs of children in conflict-affected regions.
For further details, refer to the research by Mor Keleynikov et al., “Parental PTSD and Children’s Well-Being During Wartime: The Role of Interpersonal Emotion Regulation,” published in the *International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice* (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s42448-025-00238-y.
