Mental health of children with special educational needs in the context of long-term crisis challenges: as seen by parents

Abstract

Aim: To study the peculiarities of the mental health of children with special educational needs after 1.5 years of full-scale war in Ukraine. Materials and Methods: The mental health of children with special educational needs (SEN) as well as the peculiarities of the impact of hostilities on their emotional and volitional sphere was assessed through the anonymous survey of their parents using the questionnaire developed by the authors (25 questions). The research, which was conducted in 2023 using a Google form, involved 466 parents having children with SEN aged 6 to 10. Results: It was found that among the surveyed families raising children with SEN, 30.7 % of children were in the combat zone or zone of temporary occupation for a week to a month, 19.1 % – for more than a month; 36.9 % of children experienced relocation, 23.4 % were separated from their parents, 19.7 % witnessed hostilities; 49.4 % of children experienced an unstable psycho-emotional state (“emotional swings”) during 1.5 years of war in Ukraine, 40.1 % – restlessness, 38.6 % – anxiety; 23.2 % of parents noted that their children were “hooked” on computer games and social networks, 11.2 % – had problems with sleep, 10.5 % – demonstrated the emergence or increase in cognitive problems. Conclusions: The negative impact of prolonged stress during the war on the mental health of children with SEN has been revealed, which requires psychological support for such children from parents and psychologists.