Little is known about the day-to-day variation in suicide ideation (SI) associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study examined daily variations in SI frequency and intensity in individuals with and without PTSD.

Digital social technologies, such as social media and online multiplayer video games (MVGs), have ushered in an era of peer relationships that evolve online, in addition to in person. This report reviews existing research about the dual role of social media and MVGs in shaping youth social connectedness, recognizing both their potential benefits and their associated risks on youth mental health. By providing evidence-based insights, it aims to inform strategies that optimize these technologies' advantages while safeguarding youth mental health and well-being.

We assessed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of a peer-integrated enhancement of integrated clinical care intervention to address the mental health needs of 450 patients undergoing treatment for a physical injury.

Resistance to unwanted sexual advances decreases likelihood of completed sexual victimization (SV), with psychological barriers to resistance (PBRs; i.e. fear of injury, concern for preserving the relationship, and self-consciousness) reducing likelihood of resisting. Prior SV is associated with distress, which could increase revictimization risk.: A cross-sectional survey was utilized to examine associations among history of SV, psychological distress (defined as symptoms of depression, anxiety, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and alcohol use problems), and PBRs in a sample of college women ( = 374). It was hypothesized: 1) severity of SV would be associated with PBRs, 2) psychological distress would be associated with severity of SV, 3) psychological distress would be associated with each type of PBR, and 4) psychological distress would mediate associations between severity of SV and PBRs. : Severity of SV was associated with fear of injury exacerbation and concerns for relationship preservation as well as higher levels of psychological distress. Concerns for relationship preservation and self-consciousness were associated with more alcohol problems. Depression mediated severity of SV and PBR due to concern for relationship preservation.: Risk reduction programs should address how the intersection of psychological distress and PBR influences resistance behavior, especially among women with a history of SV.

Military personnel and active combatants are known to be at risk for perpetrating or witnessing acts that violate their moral code. These events, termed (PMIEs), were found to be associated in cross-sectional studies with an increased risk of mental and behavioral health problems, such as depression and anxiety symptoms. However, the longitudinal contribution of deployment-related PMIEs and (MI) outcomes to depression and anxiety symptoms among veterans remain unclear, particularly during their initial years following discharge.

The proliferation of access to generative AI tools has the potential to radically alter the process of writing manuscripts. This report evaluates NotebookLM as a tool for conducting a literature review in an ethical and responsible manner.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has four symptom clusters: intrusion, avoidance, negative cognitions/mood, and hyperarousal. Little is known about the extent to which the intensity of the symptom clusters vary from moment-to-moment. Using an ecological momentary assessment methodology, this study examined within day variation in the four PTSD symptom clusters.

ObjectiveIn this article, we review the effects of war on children via their impact on parenting and propose a novel family stress model to inform research and intervention development. Focusing specifically on families living in active war zones, we conducted a review of the empirical literature on parenting and child adjustment, and parenting interventions during wartime. We excluded parental deployment to war if the family at home was not residing in the war zone. A growing body of literature highlights challenges to parenting practices, cognitions and emotions during war, and parental adaptations to living in a war zone but we could find no parenting intervention research reporting outcomes of programs war. : While emerging literature highlights the impact of war on parenting and potential targets for intervention, there is a critical dearth of research on strategies and programs to support parents during wars. We propose a model to guide future research and intervention development for parenting during war and some examples of ways to accomplish this.

ObjectiveThis article reviews international research on the mental health of children of military service members, with a focus on the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It highlights the unique service-related stressors these children experience and presents Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory as a framework for understanding how various risk and protective factors interact to influence mental health outcomes. The article also explores prevention and intervention strategies that support resilience and psychological well-being in this population. A comprehensive review of empirical studies was conducted using peer-reviewed journal articles, governmental reports, and institutional research databases. The review examined key variables including rates of mental health concerns, contributing risk and protective factors linked to military service, and best practice prevention and intervention approaches. Country-specific trends and gaps in research were also analyzed. In addition to extensive research from the United States, a smaller but growing body of work from Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom was identified. Findings consistently show that children of military service members face increased risks of depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges. However, protective factors such as strong family cohesion, supportive parental mental health, and access to structured services can buffer these risks. Ecological frameworks help capture how personal, family, and societal systems intersect in shaping outcomes. Continued research is needed to develop and evaluate scalable, evidence-based interventions tailored to military families. A family-centered and ecologically informed approach is essential to fostering resilience and improving long-term psychological outcomes for children of military service members.

ObjectiveCurrently, 47.2 million children worldwide are displaced due to conflict and violence. Most refugees (69%) are relocated to neighboring countries and often live in refugee camps or informal settlements. The transition period during displacement can have significant effects on youth wellbeing and psychosocial development. The paper explores how displacement due to conflict and violence impacts the mental health and wellbeing of children, particularly those living in refugee camps or informal settlements. It aims to guide the development of effective mental health programs and interventions by examining the role of the social environment in shaping the psychosocial development of displaced youth. : The Four Core Stressor Framework is introduced and applied to assess the mental health challenges faced by refugee youth, focusing on the effects of conflict and displacement on their psychosocial development. The paper highlights promising psychosocial interventions that address the political, structural, and social challenges faced by displaced youth. These interventions aim to support their mental health, promote resilience, and foster positive growth during displacement.

Between 2005 and 2022, more than 315,000 grave violations were verified against children in wartime, including killing, physical maiming, exploitation, and forced displacement. While the resulting harm to children is widely recognized, the profound toll on professionals who witness and respond to these tragedies remains under examined. This article explores the psychological and occupational impacts of exposure to child casualties during wartime on healthcare providers, military personnel, journalists, and mortuary affairs workers. Google Scholar, PsycINFO, PsychNET, and PubMed were searched for literature examining the impact of pediatric death and injury on healthcare professionals, service members, journalists, and mortuary affairs workers in wartime settings. Supplementary searches were conducted to identify supportive evidence from literature addressing impacts in non-conflict contexts. Evidence varied across professions, but impacts examined included moral injury, secondary traumatic stress, heightened emotions, including guilt, anger, helplessness, and grief, as well as professional challenges such as self-questioning, and burnout. Potential mechanisms exacerbating distress include loss of trust in the goodness of the world, cynicism, and hopelessness, personal identification with children, and perceived lack of adequate skills or a sense of professional failure. Findings underscore the urgent need for tailored strategies to sustain the well-being and effectiveness of professionals confronted with child casualties in war. In response, the article highlights promising individual-level and organization-level strategies for building resilience and growth, and promising interventions for professionals requiring clinical care.

: This literature review summarizes findings regarding the effects of war-related bereavement and other losses in children and adolescents-including both negative consequences and protective factors that may mitigate their effects. This review also explores strategies for improving mental health and developmental outcomes among youth experiencing war-related losses. : This literature review synthesizes research studies examining psychological and developmental consequences of war-related bereavement. These include studies assessing mental health risks, protective factors, and effective interventions for children and adolescents bereaved by the loss of family members due to war. : The literature consistently shows that children and adolescents who experience war-related bereavement are at a significantly higher risk for developing psychological disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, prolonged grief disorder, and suicidal ideation. The findings also highlight individual, family, and community factors-including self-esteem, self-efficacy, adaptive coping skills, social support, and cultural values-that may buffer these risks and enhance resilience. : To mitigate the negative impact of war-related bereavement, early identification of grief reactions is critical. A developmentally-informed approach to assessment and intervention, involving mental health professionals, paraprofessionals, school personnel, and policymakers, is essential to support resilience and foster developmental recovery in bereaved youth. Research and intervention efforts should focus on enhancing protective factors and implementing flexibly-tailored strategies (including group, school-based, and telehealth) to aid children affected by war-related bereavement and other losses.

Given the prevalence of conflict-related sexual violence, tens of thousands of children are estimated to have been born from wartime mass rape campaigns, sexual violence, and forced pregnancy in conflicts around the globe. Despite their vital interconnection, the existing empirical literature has tended to examine either the realities of women survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, or children born of war rape. Much less literature has addressed the realities of both mothers and children and their shared and interrelated experiences. This paper explores the shared post-conflict experiences and realities of children born of conflict-related sexual violence and mothers in post-genocide Rwanda.

ObjectiveAn exploratory-descriptive three-wave survey was designed to explore the nature of wartime and postwar trauma, bereavement, grief, and developmental disruptions in war-exposed Bosnian adolescents; and to guide theory building, intervention, and policy. Specific aims included describing: Prevalence rates of war exposure types, war-related disruptions to social networks (traumatic deaths, disappearances, natural deaths, separations), short- and long-term postwar adversities, adolescent postwar grief reactions, and war-related disruptions in developmentally sensitive life domainsg. A three-wave self-report survey (conducted 1.5-2.5 years after the Bosnian civil war, across multiple geographic/ethnic regions) assessed prewar, wartime, and postwar experiences and psychosocial adjustment in war-exposed Bosnian secondary school students. Students reported: (a) high rates of exposure to both high-magnitude types of war trauma (including traumatic losses) and postwar adversities; (b) extensive war-related disruptions to their social networks, including deaths to natural and unnatural causes, and separation from loved ones. Significant effects were found for sex, type of death, and type of grief; but not for their interaction, age, or geographic region/ethnicity. (c) Pervasive war-related developmental impacts-primarily slowdowns-were reported for impulse control, help-seeking, identity formation, moral development, and understanding political issues. Many families were struggling economically and interpersonally 2.5 years after the war. Pervasive disruptions in youths' social networks persisted. Interventions for war-exposed youth should address a diverse array of problems including traumatic losses, ongoing separations, interpersonal conflict, and disruptions in developmentally important life domains. Balanced, strength-based grief interventions should both facilitate adaptive grief reactions and therapeutically reduce unhelpful grief reactions.

ObjectiveFormer children associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG) have been affected by violence and adversity and often experience challenges when reintegrating into their communities. Many former CAAFAG demonstrate pervasive mental health concerns, which disrupt functioning and impact successful reintegration. Addressing mental health needs is imperative to ensure successful reintegration. This report reviews risk and protective factors of mental health outcomes and evidence-based intervention approaches for former CAAFAG. The mental health needs of former CAAFAG vary depending on risk and protective factors prior to, during, and after involvement in the armed forces. Effective interventions that address mental health concerns and promote resilience apply a socioecological approach, such that interventions are implemented at the individual, family, and community levels. Further, interventions should apply a community-participatory model that prioritizes community members' and consumers' input during intervention development and implementation. This includes ensuring interventions are appropriately adapted for the context. Research evidence that highlights addressing risk and protective factors and the effectiveness of intervention approaches for former CAFAAG is growing; however, additional research is needed.