Intrapersonal and interpersonal coping resources among children impacted by terrorism and war: the case of october 7

Children growing up in warzones face persistent challenges that impact their mental, emotional, and social development. This qualitative study investigates the wartime coping strategies of 51 Israeli children aged 10–17 (M = 12.1) living near the border with Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas. Data were collected from six focus groups between December 2023 and February 2024 and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The findings reveal two core themes: (1) Intrapersonal coping, reflecting children’s internal psychological resources and agency; and (2) Interpersonal coping, which encompasses the facilitators and barriers within their external support systems and relational resources. These insights underscore the importance of centering children’s voices as “experts by experience”. The findings call for tailored, child-centered interventions to strengthen resilience among children exposed to chronic conflict.