How Does War Trauma Affect Stress Hormones in Refugee Children?

What you need to know

• Children exposed to war show elevated levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in their hair, particularly those who were adolescents at the time of exposure
• The more war-related events a child experienced, the higher their cortisol levels, though this effect decreased with time since leaving the conflict zone
• Higher cortisol levels were also associated with more severe PTSD symptoms

The Hidden Impact of War Trauma

When we experience stress, our bodies release cortisol - often called the “stress hormone.” While this response is helpful in the short term, prolonged exposure to severe stress, like living through war, can disrupt our body’s stress response system. This is especially concerning for children, whose developing brains and bodies are particularly vulnerable to trauma’s effects.

A Unique Look at Refugee Children

This groundbreaking study examined over 1,500 Syrian refugee children living in informal settlements in Lebanon. The researchers measured cortisol levels in the children’s hair - which provides a window into stress levels over several months - and collected information about their war experiences and PTSD symptoms.

Key Findings About Age and Exposure

One of the most striking findings was that adolescents (age 12 and older) showed the strongest relationship between war exposure and elevated cortisol levels. This suggests that the teenage years may be a particularly sensitive period when it comes to the biological impact of trauma. Just as teenagers experience rapid physical and emotional changes during puberty, their stress response systems may also be especially vulnerable during this time.

The Role of Time

Interestingly, cortisol levels tended to decrease the longer children had been away from the conflict zone. For example, children who had left Syria more than a year ago showed lower cortisol levels than those who had left more recently. This suggests that the body’s stress response system may gradually readjust once removed from immediate danger, though the effects of trauma can still persist.

What This Means for You

If you work with or care for refugee children:

• Be especially attentive to adolescents’ mental health needs, as they may be particularly vulnerable to trauma’s biological effects
• Understand that healing takes time - while the body’s stress response may gradually normalize, support may be needed for an extended period
• Remember that children may be affected by trauma even if they don’t show obvious signs of distress
• Consider that recent refugees may need additional support as their stress response systems are likely still highly activated

Conclusions

• War exposure leaves biological traces in children’s stress response systems, particularly during adolescence
• The effects appear to lessen over time once children are removed from the conflict zone
• Both the number of traumatic events experienced and current PTSD symptoms are linked to elevated stress hormones
• This research highlights the importance of providing long-term support to refugee children, with special attention to adolescents