Focal Interest
Focal Interest
AI Summary of Peer-Reviewed Research

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War-related stress linked to lower children’s functional cognition

A young child wearing a yellow shirt sits at a wooden desk and writes in a blue notebook with a pen, concentrating on their schoolwork in a home or classroom setting.
Research area:MedicinePediatrics, Perinatology and Child HealthCognition

What the study found

Children assessed during a prolonged war showed lower functional cognition than children assessed before the crisis, even after accounting for gender, age, socioeconomic status, and educational needs. The difference was especially pronounced for children with special educational needs.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that war-related early-life stressors are associated with reduced functional cognition, and they suggest that the BRIEF Parent Questionnaire, a parent-report measure of everyday executive functioning, may be a practical screening tool to identify difficulties and guide pediatric occupational therapy during and after crises.

What the researchers tested

The researchers used a repeated cross-sectional design and community-based data collection to compare two cohorts of second- and third-grade children. Mothers reported on children’s functional cognition using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) Parent Questionnaire, including the Global Executive Composite, the Behavioral Regulation Index, and the Metacognition Index.

What worked and what didn't

After adjustment for gender, age, socioeconomic status, and educational needs, Cohort 2 showed significantly lower functional cognition than Cohort 1. Multivariate analysis indicated deficits associated with both war exposure and special educational needs, and there was a significant interaction showing that early-life stressors affected children with special educational needs more strongly.

What to keep in mind

The available summary does not describe long-term follow-up or causal inference. The comparison was cross-sectional, with one cohort measured before the crisis and one during the war, and the sample came from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Key points

  • Children assessed during the war had lower functional cognition than those assessed before the crisis.
  • The difference remained after controlling for gender, age, socioeconomic status, and educational needs.
  • Children with special educational needs showed greater effects from early-life stressors.
  • The study used the BRIEF Parent Questionnaire to measure everyday executive functioning.
  • The authors suggest the BRIEF may be a practical screening tool in pediatric occupational therapy.

Disclosure

Research title:
War-related stress linked to lower children’s functional cognition
Authors:
Chagit Hollander, esther adi-japha, Shoshi Dorfberger
Institutions:
Bar-Ilan University, Tel Hai Academic College
Publication date:
2026-04-02
DOI:
10.5014/ajot.2026.051455
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

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