1 Department of medicine, Ahfad university for women, Omdurman, Sudan.
2 Department of medicine, Omdurman Islic university, Omdurman, Sudan.
3 Department of medicine, Ahfad university for women.
4 Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Korfofan, El-Obeid – Sudan.
5 Department of medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
6 Department of medicine, University of Bahri, Bahri, Sudan.
7 Department of Paediatric, Danat Elemarat Hospital, Abudhabi, United Arab Emirates.
8 Department of medicine, Omdurman Islamic university, Omdurman, Sudan.
9 Department of medicine, Maidastone and wells NHS trust, England , UK.
10 MRCPCH membership, England,UK.
11 Department medicine, University of khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
12 Department, of medicine NATIONAL RIBAT UNIVERSITY, Omdurman, Sudan.
* Corresponding Author
GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2026, 28(03), 262–275
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscarr.2026.28.3.0193
Received on 27 June 2026; revised on 18 August 2026; accepted on 20 August 2026
Background: War-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) represents a significant public health burden for children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) across the Middle East. Despite protracted conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine, the evidence base for effective interventions remains fragmented. This review aim to synthesize the literature on psychosocial and psychotherapeutic interventions for war-related PTSD in children and adolescents in Middle Eastern LMICs.
Methods: A narrative literature review with systematic search principles was conducted across PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Arabic-language indices. Studies published in English or Arabic between 2000 and 2026 that evaluated psychosocial or psychotherapeutic interventions for war-related PTSD in children and adolescents (≤18 years) in Middle Eastern LMIC settings were included. Findings were synthesised thematically by intervention modality.
Results: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) demonstrate the strongest evidence for PTSD symptom reduction, with effect sizes varying by fidelity and setting. School-based, group-based, and family-based interventions show promise but are limited by methodological weaknesses. Cultural adaptations—incorporating local idioms of distress, religious coping metaphors, community engagement, and participatory design—are essential for acceptability. Implementation is constrained by severe workforce shortages, financial instability, pervasive stigma, ongoing conflict, and ethical complexities around informed consent and re-traumatisation. The evidence base is characterised by small sample sizes, high attrition, heterogeneous outcome measures, and publication bias.
Conclusion: Scalable, ethically sound, and culturally integrated interventions delivered through strengthened health and education systems are urgently needed. Future research must prioritise rigorous randomised designs, long-term follow-up, effectiveness-implementation hybrid trials, and culturally validated outcome measures to inform policy and practice in conflict-affected settings.
Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, PTSD, Wars, Children Traumas, Sudan War
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Tagwa kalool fadlalla ahmed, AHMED BABEKIR ALBASHEER AHMED, Walaa yousif Suliman Hamid, Jowaireia Gaber Al basheer Al Hassan, Hanin Asaad Elabbas, Obai Salah Eldin Bashir Abbas, Fatima Ibrahim Osman Salih, Alaa Eltayeb yousif Elawad, Eman Eissa, Eman Abdalla, Safwa Obeid and Ghada Abdalla. POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER INTERVENTIONS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS AFFECTED BY WAR IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST: A NARRATIVE REVIEW. GSC Advanced Research and Reviews, 2026, 28(03), 262–275. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscarr.2026.28.3.0193.