Mental health and socio-demographic characteristics of children and adolescents returned to the Russian Federation from the zones of armed conflicts in the Middle East

Abstract

In a cross-sectional retrospective study to study mental health disorders in children repatriated to the Russian Federation from armed conflict zones in the Middle East (Syria, Iraq), in the first days after arrival, 125 children were clinically examined using the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ). 37 children (26.9%) were diagnosed with Acute stress disorder, 69 (55.2%) had individual symptoms of a stressful nature. Mild and moderate delays in psycho-speech development and socio-pedagogical neglect were also noted. In a subgroup of children and adolescents with severe stress disorders, a correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between the severity of mental disorders and traumatic factors. Gender and age differences in clinical manifestations (p<0.05) and a correlation of the severity of post-stress disorders with certain psychotraumatic factors were revealed. It was concluded that the program to assist children and adolescents returning from armed conflict zones should take an interdisciplinary approach that takes into account both the need for professional help for stress disorders and the improvement or formation of school, everyday and social skills.