Department of Psychology, Women Research Center, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (9 Views)
Studying the psychological state of adolescents during war and the impact of military conflict on their mental health is an undeniable necessity. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of military hostilities in the 12-day war imposed by the Zionist regime on Iran on the psychological state of adolescents and young adults within the family context. This descriptive study employed a qualitative approach using content analysis. A total of 24 unmarried adolescents and young adults (age range 15–24 years; mean±SD = 19.33±2.71), primarily residing in Tehran province, participated virtually in a structured interview. Responses were analyzed across six domains: interpretation and perception of war, expression of emotions and psychological/behavioral reactions, coping with one's own reactions and those of others, family reactions, and future evaluation under the influence of war. In total, 23 general categories and 56 subcategories were extracted. Findings indicated that adolescents' perception of war could be examined in three categories: personal interpretation, identity-based, and value-based. Their psychological-behavioral reactions included hypervigilance, mood disturbances, ambivalent emotions, habituation and normalization, and self-resilience. Coping with reactions emerged in three patterns: distancing from reality, active psychological reactions, and spiritual reactions. Families responded through inaction, distancing, anxiety, active reactions, and spiritual responses. Future evaluation was categorized into five themes: self and socially oriented behaviors, unpredictable future, continuation of normal life routines, and perceived negative consequences. In conclusion, war as a critical and traumatic phenomenon is interpretable within the national-religious-historical identity context of each culture.
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