Adolescents during wartime: Vulnerability-based profiles

Abstract

Adolescents in war zones face the dual burden of normative developmental challenges and stressors from their proximity to active conflict, raising critical questions about their vulnerability during wartime. The aim of the current study was to identify distinct vulnerability profiles among Israeli adolescents (ages 11-18) during Israel's ongoing Swords of Iron War. Drawing on Hobfoll's conservation of resources theory, we assessed protective factors (positive affect, resilience, and perceived social support) and one risk factor (war-related adjustment disorder symptoms). Differences in profiles were also examined in relation to demographic variables and war impact variables (house damage, displacement, and injury). In this quantitative, cross-sectional study, we utilized self-report questionnaires from 305 Jewish Israeli adolescents (ages 11-18). LatentGold was employed to conduct a three-step latent profile analysis. Wald tests were used to explore differences between the various adolescent profiles in terms of protective and risk factors, as well as to assess associations with distal variables. Three distinct vulnerability profiles were identified: low, moderate, and high. Adolescents in the low-vulnerability group were younger, lived farther from conflict borders, experienced fewer war-related adjustment disorder symptoms, and reported higher levels of positive affect, resilience, and perceived social support. Among these factors, perceived social support emerged as the most sensitive variable differentiating profiles. These findings highlight the importance of internal and external resources in mitigating vulnerability and fostering resilience among adolescents in conflict-affected regions. The categorization into vulnerability levels enables faster identification of at-risk adolescents and more efficient resource allocation. Given the critical role of social support, clinicians should prioritize interventions that enhance such support to promote adolescents' well-being during wartime.

Keywords: adjustment disorder symptoms; adolescents; perceived social support; positive affect; resilience; war.