New research indicates that parental emotional support plays a crucial role in protecting children from anxiety and distress during wartime, even when those parents are coping with their own trauma. A study published in the *International Journal on Child Maltreatment: Research, Policy and Practice* highlights the importance of supportive parenting in fostering resilience among children exposed to conflict.
Conducted by a team of researchers including Dr. Mor Kleynikov and Prof. Dana Lassri from the Hebrew University, along with colleagues from the University of Haifa and Bar-Ilan University, the study was carried out shortly after the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack that marked a significant escalation in the Israel–Hamas war. The researchers surveyed 318 parents of children aged 5 to 18, with a notable 76% of participants being women, and an average age of 40. Most reported significant exposure to the ongoing conflict.
The findings underscore how parents can serve as emotional anchors for their children, even under severe stress. The researchers discovered that parenting practices such as encouraging open discussions about feelings, legitimizing negative emotions, and helping children find solutions significantly bolster children’s resilience. This positive link persists despite parents experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms themselves.
Key Insights on Emotional Support
A standout revelation from the study is that parents do not need to be “perfect” to provide effective support. What truly matters is their willingness to listen and validate their children’s feelings. “The study shows that there is something we can do, even under harsh conditions,” the researchers explained. They emphasized the potential to equip parents with practical tools that can help mitigate psychological decline across generations.
The research highlights the family unit as a vital protective factor. In the face of external threats, the emotional bond between parent and child can create a safe space that enables children to navigate a challenging reality. This insight suggests that even in dire circumstances, nurturing family relationships can foster resilience.
The implications of this study extend beyond immediate conflict situations. The researchers advocate for the integration of trauma-informed parenting programs that focus on evidence-based emotional support techniques. These programs aim to address the long-term impacts of trauma on children, suggesting that such initiatives could be beneficial not just during wartime but also in various stressful environments.
Recommendations for Future Programs
To enhance children’s well-being in conflict zones, the researchers recommend incorporating findings from their study into educational and therapeutic frameworks designed for parents. By adopting adaptive interpersonal emotion regulation techniques, parents can offer daily emotional support that may help reduce long-term trauma effects on their children.
The findings from this research provide a hopeful perspective on the role of parenting amidst conflict. The emotional health of children, as indicated by this study, can be significantly influenced by the actions and attitudes of their parents, even when those parents are grappling with their own trauma.
More information regarding this research can be found in the article by Mor Keleynikov et al., titled “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* in 2025. The DOI for the study is 10.1007/s42448-025-00238-y.
