Identifying Risk Profiles in War-Affected Children and Adolescents: Implications for Trauma-Informed Care

BACKGROUND: Experiences associated with war, migration, and loss can result in complex psychological challenges in children and adolescents. AIM: The objective of this study was to identify distinct psychological profiles related to symptoms of depression and trauma among youth of Polish, Ukrainian, and displaced backgrounds. METHODS: The study involved 222 participants aged 7 to 21 years, originating from Poland, Ukraine, and a group of displaced children from Ukraine. Hierarchical cluster analysis was conducted using the ITQ-CA questionnaire, while depressive symptoms were assessed with CDI-2. The obtained clusters were compared with psychological and sociodemographic factors. RESULTS: The analysis identified two to three clusters with distinct symptom profiles. Cluster 1 was characterized by higher depressive symptoms and lower PTSD severity, whereas clusters 2 and 3 exhibited an opposite pattern. Factors such as age, exposure to war, loss experience, living arrangements, and interests distinguished cluster membership. Age was positively correlated with the severity of PTSD, although the degree of this relationship varied depending on the cluster. Additionally, associations were found between the frequency of healthcare utilization and the severity of psychopathological symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Children and adolescents with war-related experiences do not constitute a homogeneous group in terms of psychological symptoms. In practice, this means that a one-size-fits-all approach to diagnosis and intervention is insufficient. Instead, profiling individual symptom patterns, considering factors like age, specific trauma exposures, living situations, and even engagement in hobbies, is essential for guiding trauma-informed care. The results have significant clinical implications for designing individualized, culturally sensitive psychological interventions, ensuring that support is specifically matched to the unique needs of each child or adolescent, rather than relying on broad diagnostic categories. For instance, interventions for younger children with higher depression may focus on emotional support, while older adolescents with higher PTSD may require targeted support for complex trauma.