A Longitudinal Study of the Associations Between War Exposure, Psychiatric Symptoms, Digital Engagement, and Substance Use in Adolescents

Objective: This longitudinal study investigated the associations between exposure to political violence and screen and substance use in 1646 Israeli adolescents (aged 12–17) from southern Israel, an area significantly impacted by an ongoing war and conflict. Methods: The data were collected at two time points: shortly after the outbreak of the war (October 2023) and at the end of the school year (June 2024). It examined changes in digital engagement, including internet and social media use, trends in substance use (tobacco, alcohol, vaping, and cannabis), and how political life events and psychiatric symptoms influenced these behaviors. Results: The findings revealed significant increases in screen time, particularly internet and social media use, that correlated with heightened exposure to political violence and worsening psychiatric symptoms. Tobacco use decreased slightly, while alcohol consumption increased. Older participants engaged less in gaming but more in social media. Boys reported higher levels of gaming but lower social media, alcohol and vaping use than girls. Conclusions: These findings underscore the urgent need for interventions addressing the interrelated challenges of digital media consumption and substance use in youth exposed to war-related conflicts.