Background: In June 2025, after nearly two years of fighting on Israel's northern and Gaza borders, direct conflict between Israel and Iran exposed the Israeli homefront to hundreds of rockets and drones targeting urban centres. Objective: This study was designed to assess the continuous traumatic stress response (CTSR) following a period of escalation and acute threat on the homefront and the relationship with unique war variables compared to recognized individual and social factors. Method: An online questionnaire was sent to a longitudinal sample of adults living on the homefront during the Israel-Hamas war, a week following a significant escalation where rocket and missile fire was exchanged between Iran and Israel. The sample included 287 Israeli civilians (87.3% female; age 19-76) who reported psychological distress post-escalation, which was studied in relation to war-related exposures, peritraumatic dissociation during the conflict, and perceived social support and trust. Results: Participants evacuated experienced higher levels of CTSR, depression, and anxiety. Importantly, peritraumatic dissociation was identified as the strongest predictor of psychological distress across outcomes, surpassing the impact of objective war-related experiences. Different forms of social support had varying effects on distress, while trust in government institutions uniquely influenced psychological outcomes. Conclusions: The findings suggest that internal psychological responses during threats might be more indicative of distress than actual exposure and highlight the need for targeted interventions for displaced populations. Interventions that address dissociative experiences may be especially valuable during periods of heightened threat.

BACKGROUND:Depression and anxiety are prevalent comorbidities in individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Despite this, there is a lack of longitudinal research aimed at exploring the profiles and trajectories of these psychological conditions in this population. OBJECTIVES:This study had three primary objectives: (1) to identify distinct profiles of depression, anxiety, and disability across three time points; (2) to examine the differences among these profiles with respect to demographic and clinical characteristics; and (3) to examine longitudinal associations and patterns of change in these variables over time. RESULTS:The study involved 618 adults diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting MS (RRMS), who reported their levels of depression and anxiety during three scheduled visits to the MS clinic. Additionally, disease disability was quantitatively assessed through a neurological examination incorporating the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Principal Components Analysis identified three profiles: Low (n = 280), Moderate (n = 244), and Severe (n = 94), explaining 86.3% of the variance. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences between clusters for all three variables (p < 0.001), with no significant differences for age, gender, MS duration, and treatment status (p > 0.05). Path analysis highlights two cross-domain paths: from EDSS T1 to depression T2 (β=0.195, p < 0.05), to depression T3 (β=0.457, p < 0.001); and from EDSS T1 to EDSS T2 (β=0.885, p < 0.001), to anxiety T3 (β=-0.378, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Baseline-defined profiles were consistent with severity strata and were associated with differing longitudinal patterns. These findings highlight the need for routine longitudinal screening of depression and anxiety in MS clinic. This approach is designed to ensure seamless integration into standard neurology consultations, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of patient care.

OBJECTIVES:The October 7, 2023 events exposed both Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire middle east to unprecedented complex trauma. Guided by theoretical considerations and expert panel discussions, we identified seven distinct exposure domains: missile attacks, physical violence, evacuation, combat participation, hostage involvement, media exposure, and group-based marginalization. We examined actual exposure, that of self and significant others, to these domains alongside subjective stress and major stressful life events. Outcomes included PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms. METHODS:A representative sample of Israeli-Jewish adults (N = 928) surveyed for political stress prior to the October 7th 23 events were assessed again in December 2023. They completed a newly developed measure capturing the above seven exposure domains, a measure of major stressful events, and measures of the above outcomes. Hierarchical Regression Analysis was employed to identify both linear and curvilinear effects of exposure, moderated by life stress. RESULTS:Self and significant others' exposure were unrelated to subjective stress (rs: 0.09 and 0.14, ns) but differentially predicted all symptom types. Subjective stress was the strongest predictor of outcomes overall (βs: 0.18-0.35). Curvilinear effects and interactions between trauma exposure and major life stress were documented, although the latter interactions were substantially trimmed by sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS:A comprehensive conceptualization and assessment mass-casualty armed conflict is essential for identifying stress-distress profiles and guiding personalized care and preventive interventions worldwide.

BackgroundContinuous Traumatic Stress Response (CTSR) refers to psychological, emotional, and behavioral reactions that emerge under conditions of ongoing, realistic, and future-oriented threat. Recently, CTSR received empirical attention in areas affected by political armed conflict; studies have been cross-sectional. Therefore, there is limited understanding of CTSR dynamics over time.MethodsThe current longitudinal study examined changes in CTSR during the Israel–Hamas war and its associations with functioning problems, maladjustment, and psychological burden (anxiety and depression). The study included 519 Israeli adults assessed during weeks 4–6 of the war (T1), and 264 participants during weeks 23–36 (T2). CTSR was evaluated at both waves, and war exposure, functioning problems, maladjustment, and psychological burden at follow-up. Latent change score models estimate within-person change in CTSR and the prospectively associaitons with follow-up outcomes.ResultsHigher baseline CTSR and greater increases in CTSR were prospectively associated with greater functioning problems, maladjustment, and psychological burden at follow-up.ConclusionsCTSR may be a dynamic indicator of accumulating psychological risk. Monitoring changes in CTSR during prolonged conflict may help identify individuals at increased risk for later functional impairment, maladjustment, and emotional difficulties. CTSR-informed assessment may improve early identification, triage, and prevention efforts in populations exposed to continuing danger.

OBJECTIVE:This study examined the mental health and resilience of combatants and their partners during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, with a focus on self-compassion as a protective factor. While soldiers' mental health has been widely studied, the psychological burden on their partners, especially during active conflict, is less understood. The transition of reservists from civilian to combat roles, coupled with the upheaval faced by their families, provides a unique opportunity to assess resilience in this dyadic context. METHOD:A total of 134 couples (N = 268), combatants serving in Gaza and their partners, participated in the study. Both completed self-report questionnaires tapping posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, stress, and self-compassion. Descriptive statistics and paired t tests examined distress levels, while actor-partner interdependence models assessed the impact of self-compassion on psychological outcomes. RESULTS:Both dyadic partners reported elevated distress, with partners consistently showing higher scores on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and stress scales. Self-compassion was inversely related to distress in both partners. Results indicated that in couples where the combatant met the PTSD cutoff, the partner's self-compassion significantly predicted lower depression and stress in the combatant; no such effect was found in the non-PTSD group. CONCLUSIONS:The findings underscore the need to address the psychological needs of partners of reserve combatants during wartime. This study is fundamental in understanding the mental health needs of military families during an ongoing war. Clinically, integrating self-compassion-based interventions for individuals and couples, and expanding trauma-informed care to include partners, can enhance support for military families and improve outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

OBJECTIVE:Continuous traumatic stress response (CTSR), characterized by exhaustion, anger, and fear or helplessness, emerges from ongoing exposure to traumatic stressors, yet little research explores its risk and protective factors, specifically its relationship with coping strategies. METHOD:This three-wave longitudinal study examined changes in coping and CTSR as war-related stressors evolved between chronic (Wave 2, March-June 2024) and acute (June 2025) stages. Cross-lagged panel models were used to assess contemporaneous associations between CTSR and coping styles and their time-dependent changes. RESULTS:Participants (N = 522 at Wave 1, N = 244 at Wave 2, N = 287 at Wave 3) primarily experienced secondary exposure to war stressors, with all exposed to missile attack sirens. Cross-lagged panel models demonstrated that distress exerted a stronger temporal influence on coping than the reverse: Higher CTSR at Waves 1 and 2 consistently predicted subsequent decreases in forward-focused, trauma-focused, and flexible coping over time, while coping strategies showed limited capacity to predict later CTSR. Additionally, at Wave 3 (acute), preceding trauma-focused coping predicted lower peritraumatic dissociation, whereas preceding forward-focused coping predicted higher peritraumatic dissociation. CONCLUSIONS:These findings suggest that coping capacity under chronic threat is not a fixed asset but a dynamic resource vulnerable to erosion. This has implications for public health and individual support in ongoing conflict particularly the need to mitigate ongoing distress to protect depletable coping resources and preserve emotional presence during acute escalations. These results underscore the dynamic nature of coping in chronic trauma contexts, highlighting the need for tailored interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

INTRODUCTION:Psychological stress has been proposed as a trigger for disease activity in multiple sclerosis (MS), but findings have been inconsistent. While prior research has focused largely on chronic stressors, little is known about how people with MS (pwMS) cope with acute, large-scale stress events such as war. OBJECTIVE:Examine the effects of wartime stress following the October 7, 2023 attack on disease activity in pwMS, and to assess whether emotional factors are associated with relapse risk during this period. METHODS:Clinical data on relapses and disability progression were collected retrospectively for the year preceding October 7, 2023, and prospectively for the year following that date. Participants completed standardized questionnaires assessing stress, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and coping flexibility between April and June 2024. RESULTS:From the 145 pwMS included in the prospective study, 38% experienced at least one relapse in the post-war year, compared to 23% in the year prior. Perceived fatigue was significantly higher among those who experienced relapses, while anxiety, depression, and perceived stress were not significantly associated with relapse frequency. Coping flexibility did not moderate the relationship between psychological distress and relapse count. No significant change was observed in disability progression across the two time periods. CONCLUSIONS:Wartime conditions were associated with increased relapse activity in pwMS. Fatigue may serve as a sensitive marker of disease vulnerability during stress. Coping flexibility, as measured in this study, did not appear to buffer the effects of psychological distress on relapse risk.

OBJECTIVE:The exposure to ongoing war can be termed as continuous traumatic stress (CTS), the exposure to repeated and ongoing stressful events in daily life, which lead to a broad spectrum of emotional and behavioral reactions (continuous traumatic stress response [CTSR]). This study analyzed the impact of individual coping and societal variables on CTSR. METHOD:During weeks 4 to 6 of the Iron Swords war, 519 participants from across Israel completed online questionnaires, including sociodemographic information, level of exposure, CTSR, coping (forward focused, trauma focused, and coping flexibility), system justification, and social support. RESULTS:A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good to excellent model fit indices for the CTSR measure. Exposure was not found to predict CTSR though those with high levels of media exposure (over 6 hr a day) were found to have greater CTSR compared with low levels of media exposure. Forward-focused coping (as opposed to trauma-focused or flexible coping) was found to significantly predict CTSR levels, as was system justification. An interaction was found between forward-focused coping and system justification such that high forward-focused coping combined with high system justification was found to predict the lowest CTSR levels. CONCLUSION:This study highlights the protective role of individual coping, specifically forward-focused coping, and the ability to see national structures as just and fair, in times of ongoing and continuous stress. A deeper understanding of the importance of personal factors apart from environmental effects can inform the development of targeted assistance programs for a large population during times of war and prolonged conflicts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

BACKGROUND:In February 2022, Ukraine suffered a devastating assault by Russia, leading to destruction, casualties, and mass displacement. Among those displaced were over 1.5 million children. Forced displacement exposes children to a heightened risk of mental health issues.OBJECTIVE:This study investigated the prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues among child refugees shortly after their displacement from Ukraine to Israel. It aimed to identify factors influencing PTSD development and explore their associations.METHODS:The study included 59 child refugees who had arrived in Israel after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Parents completed self-report questionnaires to assess their children's mental health.RESULTS:Only three children met the DSM diagnostic criteria for PTSD, with higher scores in the negative cognition and re-experiencing clusters. Over half of the children exhibited general mental health problems, with approximately 40 % showing internalizing problems, and 30 % showing externalizing problems. The study also found a significant comorbidity between PTSD symptoms and internalizing problems. Additionally, internalizing problems emerged as the sole significant predictor of PTSD levels when considering factors such as age, gender, economic status, parents' work status, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems.CONCLUSIONS:Child refugees frequently experience psychological distress, even if they do not meet the formal diagnostic criteria for PTSD. They often exhibit other distress symptoms, primarily internalizing problems, which can be challenging to detect. A deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugee children can inform the development of targeted assistance programs and the recruitment and training of personnel in host countries.

Children in war-torn areas are highly susceptible to post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), influenced by direct exposure to war and maternal PTSS. This risk is further heightened by continuous traumatic stress (CTS). However, the relationship between war exposure, maternal PTSS, CTS, and PTSS in children, particularly in different age groups, has not been extensively studied. The current study investigated Israeli children, with a specific focus on treatment-seeking preschoolers (ages 3–7) and school-aged children (ages 8–12). The sample included 220 dyads of children aged 3–12 and their parents, who were seeking treatment for children’s PTSS after the October 7th terrorist attack. They underwent a clinical assessment including sociodemographic information and filled out validated self-report and parent-report questionnaires assessing PTSS. Overall, 69% of preschoolers and 49.2% of school-aged children exhibited probable PTSD, along with 32.4% of their mothers. Maternal PTSS significantly predicted PTSS in preschoolers ( b = 0.24, SE = 0.14, p <.01), whereas war exposure significantly predicted PTSS in school-aged children ( b = 0.81, SE = 3.84, p <.05). The relationship between CTS condition and children’s PTSS was indirectly associated through maternal PTSS, solely among preschool children ( b = 4.81, SE = 1.78, 95% CI [1.84, 8.69]). The study highlights early intervention’s need to target age-specific vulnerabilities to PTSS in children. It stresses the importance of enhancing parental skills and improving children’s resilience towards current and future traumas, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Healthcare services should provide trauma-focused treatment for parents and children to prevent exacerbating symptoms.

Objective Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Psoriasis (Ps) are two chronic autoimmune diseases differing in terms of their external visibility (Ps > MS) and in which depression and anxiety abound. We hypothesized that depression and anxiety would be higher in Ps compared to MS and that this effect would be serially mediated by negative perception leading to negative illness personification. Method Adult sufferers of MS and Ps (Ns = 90 and 154, respectively) were assessed as to their depression and anxiety via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body Perception using the Experience of Shame (ESS), and Negative Illness Personification with the BGU-IPS. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to test the serial mediation model. Results As expected, latent depression/anxiety was higher in Ps than in MS (b = 3.89 for anxiety, p < .001; b = 2.27 for depression, p = .024). We found support for the hypothesized serial mediation model: An indirect effect from Illness type to body perception to negative illness personification, culminating in latent depression/anxiety, accounted for 42 % of the variance of the bivariate effect. Negative Illness personification also exhibited a unique effect on depression (b = .61, p = .007). Conclusion Perceptions of the body and the personification of illness are implicated in depression and anxiety in chronic diseases. Tailored interventions that emphasize these factors are recommended, with consideration of the type of chronic illness and its external visibility.

Background/Objectives: Medical procedures can be a traumatic event for both children and their parents. Children who have experienced maltreatment or early traumatic experiences are at a higher risk for various emotional, behavioral, and health issues, including declining mental health. This may include experiencing heightened distress following medical procedures. The goal of this paper is to investigate the risk of distress symptoms following medical procedures for children with a history of child maltreatment vs. controls. Methods: A prospective study of 219 parents and children hospitalized in a pediatric surgical ward was conducted, with participants divided into study and control groups based on their reports of early traumatic experiences. Questionnaires measuring psychological distress were administered before the medical procedure and 3–5 months after discharge. Results: Children from the study group displayed significantly more distress symptoms before and after the procedure, with a substantial post-procedure increase. Parents of children who endured prior trauma and child maltreatment also exhibited elevated pre-procedure distress. Prior trauma and child maltreatment independently contributed to heightened medical distress. Post-procedure child distress was influenced by the early traumatic events and also by family support, socioeconomic status, and parental procedure-related post-traumatic stress symptoms. Conclusions: Children with a history of child maltreatment and trauma show an increased chance of psychological distress following medical procedures. Medical teams should be aware of this heightened risk and provide appropriate support.

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the effectiveness of prolonged exposure therapy (PE) across trauma types (combat, terror, civilian) and veteran status (military veterans vs. civilians) in a real-world clinical setting. We hypothesized that individuals who experienced combat- and terror-related trauma would have higher baseline posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom scores than those who experienced civilian trauma but that PE would result in comparable symptom reductions across all groups. Participants were 98 patients with chronic PTSD who were treated at two community mental health centers in Israel by clinicians trained and supervised in PE. Participants were categorized by trauma type combat: n = 34, terror: n = 25, civilian: n = 39) and veteran status (military veteran: n = 43, civilian: n = 55). PTSD symptoms were assessed using the PTSD Symptom Scale-Interview Version (PSS-I). Participants showed significant symptom reductions across all trauma types and veteran statuses. No interaction effects were detected for trauma type or veteran status. Effect sizes were large across all groups, ds = 2.20-2.28. The findings support the hypothesis that PE is effective in reducing PTSD symptoms regardless of trauma type or veteran status. These results are particularly significant given that modern conflicts often occur in civilian-populated areas rather than traditional battlefields, making the findings relevant to various regions worldwide, including Israel, Ukraine, and Gaza.

Introduction A common tool used to measure cognitive reserve is the Cognitive Reserve Index questionnaire (CRIq). In the present study, we aimed to adapt and determine the psychometric properties (validity and intra-rater test-retest reliability) of the Hebrew version of the CRIq in a cohort of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). Methods Fifty pwMS (30 women aged 48.3 (SD=10.2)) completed the CRIq and the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS), which were used for validation. Secondary outcome measures included the evaluation of depression, anxiety, and perceived fatigue. Twenty-five (of the 50) pwMS were randomly selected and participated in the CRIq intra-rater test-retest reproducibility study based on a 7-12-day interval between tests. Results The mean CRIq total was 101.8 (S.D.=13.04), which is considered at the medium level. The CRIq section scores were at a similar medium level. According to Pearson's Rho correlation analysis, the CRIq total score and sections of education, work, and leisure were significantly correlated at a medium level (Rho ranging between 0.282 to 0.415) with the SDMT score, a measurement of cognitive information processing speed. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values of the CRIq total and CRIq sections ranged between 0.942 to 0.998, indicating a strong correlation. Conclusions The Hebrew version of the CRIq is a reliable and valid tool for assessing cognitive reserve in pwMS, hence enabling clinicians and researchers to effectively monitor cognitive reserve in this population.

The exposure to ongoing war can be termed as Continuous Traumatic Stress (CTS), the exposure to repeated and ongoing stressful events in daily life, that lead to a broad spectrum of emotional and behavioral reactions (CTSR). This study analyzed the impact of individual coping and societal variables on CTSR. During weeks 4 to 6 of the Iron Swords war, 519 participants from across Israel completed online questionnaires, including socio-demographic information, level of exposure, CTSR, coping flexibility, system justification, and social support. A confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated good to excellent model fit indices for the CTSR measure. Exposure was not found to predict CTSR though those with high levels of media exposure (over 6 hours a day) were found to have greater CTSR compared to low levels of media exposure. Forward focused coping (as opposed to trauma focused or flexible coping) was found to significantly predict CTSR levels, as was system justification. An interaction was found between forward focused coping and system justification such that high forward focused coping combined with high system justification was found to predict the lowest CTSR levels. This study highlights the protective role of individual coping, specifically forward-focused coping, and the ability to see national structures as just and fair, in times of ongoing and continuous stress. A deeper understanding of the importance of personal factors apart from environmental effects can inform the development of targeted assistance programs for a large population during times of war and prolonged conflicts.

Limited research exists regarding the impact of the Ukrainian War on mental distress among refugees or the presentation of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a co-morbidity. This study analyzes the mental distress experienced by displaced Ukrainian refugees, including exposure to war-related trauma, PTSD, psychological distress based on socio-demographic factors, prevalence of concurrent mental illnesses, and associated risk factors. Ukrainian refugees in Israel were included in the study shortly after their arrival. Participants completed questionnaires on socio-demographic information, exposure to war-related events, presence of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and current life satisfaction. The 128 participants reported an average of 6.4 traumatic events (SD = 2.97). Among them, 69.5% (n = 89) met the criteria for probable PTSD, 36.7% (N = 47) for depression, and 53.1% (N = 68) for anxiety. The "comorbidity" cohort, consisting of refugees with PTSD and depression/anxiety or both, included 65 participants (53.3%), the "only PTSD" group was 24 participants (19.7%), and 33 (27%) had "no probability". Women and those who had left family members behind were 2.9 and 3.2 times more likely to experience comorbidity, respectively. Refugees with comorbidity reported higher distress and functional impairments compared to the "only PTSD" group, and lower life satisfaction than those with "no probability". This study highlights the significant traumatology experienced by Ukrainian refugees, with attention to the unique impact of comorbidity on functional and subjective well-being among refugees. Therefore, a comprehensive approach is necessary to appropriately diagnose and support refugees, considering the interconnected impact of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Background: Previous research has emphasized the significant role of illness perception in chronic diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis. Limited research has been conducted on exploring illness perception in Pediatric Onset Multiple Sclerosis (POMS), parental illness perception, and the impact of differences in their illness perceptions on the emotional well-being of the child. Method: This study included 65 dyads of children aged 10-17 and their parents, divided into the following two groups: (I) 32 dyads of children with POMS and their parents; and (II) 33 dyads of healthy children and their parents. Results: Overall, 73.1% and 43.8% of the children with POMS met the criteria for probable anxiety and depression, respectively, compared to 27.3% and 0% of the healthy children. Differences were found between the dimensions of illness perception in the POMS children and their parents, in the areas of consequences, personal control, identity, and control factors. Multinomial Logistic Regression indicated that differences in child-parent illness perception increased the likelihood of comorbid anxiety and depression by 37%. Discussion: These findings underscore the importance of alignment between children with POMS and their parents in illness perception. Healthcare providers should prioritize interventions that address illness perceptions and be mindful of the potential impact on depression and anxiety comorbidity.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological autoimmune disease; pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) represents 5% to 10% of total MS population. Children with POMS may experience attention difficulties due to the disease’s impact on the central nervous system. However, little is known regarding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in POMS, and its relation to cognitive performance. Methods: A retrospective case review was conducted using medical records of 66 children and adolescent patients diagnosed with POMS between 2012 and 2021 in a MS center of a tertiary medical center. All patients had undergone routine clinical neurological examinations and had been assessed for a diagnosis of ADHD by a department pediatric neurologist. In addition, sociodemographic data, disease-related variables, and cognitive performance were collected. Results: Of the 66 patients, 31 (47%) had a diagnosis of ADHD; 29 (44%) had cognitive impairment. Moreover, we identified four different profiles of POMS: those with only ADHD (17, 26%); only cognitive impairment (15, 23%), ADHD and cognitive impairment (14, 21%), and only POMS (20, 30%). A significant difference in disease duration was found among the four profiles [ F(3,65) = 8.17, p < .001, η² = 0.29], indicating that patients with ADHD and cognitive impairment were characterized by longer disease duration. Conclusions: ADHD may be prominently involved in POMS, even during the early stages of the disease and early diagnosis is crucial in order to provide appropriate interventions and support.

OBJECTIVE:In February 2022, Ukraine suffered a devastating assault by Russia, leading to destruction, casualties, and displacement. Among those displaced were over 1.5 million families with children. War and displacement expose families to a heightened risk of mental health issues. These risks increase when both the parents and the children are exposed to trauma and develop mental health difficulties. This study investigated the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues among parents and children and the associations between them. METHOD:The study included 50 dyads of children and parents who had arrived in Israel after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Parents completed self-report questionnaires to assess their mental health and their children's mental health. RESULTS:About 56% of the parents and 2% of the children met the criteria for PTSD, and 50% of the children and 56% of the parents met the cutoff for clinical general psychological distress. Significant correlations were found between the parent's PTSD levels and the children's PTSD symptoms. Significant correlations were found between the parent's general distress and the children's PTSD symptoms, general distress, and externalizing problems. Children whose parents showed high rates of PTSD showed significantly higher PTSD and distress rates. CONCLUSIONS:Parents and children of refugees show high levels of mental health difficulties. The children's mental health is associated with the parent's mental health. A deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugee families can inform the development of targeted assistance programs and the recruitment and training of personnel in host countries. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord, characterized by immune-mediated myelin damage. Early intervention and detection programs have emerged as promising strategies to improve patient outcomes by identifying and treating MS in its earliest stages. Objective This systematic literature review aims to provide an overview of the preferences, attitudes, and opinions of both patients and healthcare professionals regarding early intervention or early detection programs for MS. Methods A comprehensive search strategy was employed in March 2023 across multiple databases (MEDLINE, Scopus, PsyInfo, PubMed), from 1990 to 2023. A total of 38 articles were selected for analysis based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results The majority of articles were published in recent years and represented different methods from case reports to randomized controlled trials, with fewer systematic literature reviews. Data collection approaches included patients, healthcare workers, or mixed samples with varying age ranges and gender ratios, frequently preferring women. These samples represented different preference study methods. The included studies were primarily conducted in the USA and the UK. Thematic analysis revealed several key themes : 1) differences emerged between healthcare professionals' and patients' perspectives 2) interventions for MS outside Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs) 3) severe side effects 4) communication, information, and knowledge 5) psychological and emotional aspects. Conclusions Understanding these diverse factors and subgroups within the MS population can inform more effective, personalized approaches to MS prevention and treatment.