Adolescents’ Exposure to War News: its Emotional, Psychological, and Behavioral Effects

Obaidullah  Zahid; Ahmad Gul Momand; Fahim  Rahimi

doi:10.70436/nujah.v2i01.35

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Authors

Obaidullah Zahid Department of English, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Nangarhar University, Jalalabad, Afghanistan.‎ Author https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4400-8225
Ahmad Gul Momand Department of English, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Nangarhar University, Jalalabad, Afghanistan.‎ Author https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7408-8761
Fahim Rahimi Department of English, Faculty of Languages and Literature, Nangarhar University, Jalalabad, Afghanistan.‎ Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9304-463X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70436/nujah.v2i01.35

Keywords:

War-News Exposure,, Adolescents,, Emotional Responses,, Social Media,, Psychological Well-‎Being,

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Adolescents may encounter war repeatedly through television, mobile devices, and social media. Aim: This study describes war-news exposure and adolescents reported emotional, psychological, behavioral, and perceptual responses in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Methods: A 15-item descriptive questionnaire was completed by 50 adolescents aged 10–18 years; responses were summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: Social-media images and videos (M = 3.46) and television/mobile news (M = 3.40) were common exposure channels. Sadness at seeing people affected by war was the strongest reported response (M = 4.62); 78% selected “always.” Worry (M = 3.70) and unwanted thoughts about war (M = 3.48) were also reported, while 58% said they always talked to someone when upset. Conclusion: Responses combined distress, perceived safety, and help-seeking. The study contributes to interdisciplinary discussion across media studies, adolescent development, education, and psychosocial well-being. Its small descriptive sample cannot establish causation or population-wide prevalence.

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