TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Vafaei, Elham
T1  -  Digital vicarious trauma: a narrative review of gender-based psychological distress in conflict zones
PY  -  2026
Y1  -  2026-01-01
DO  -  10.1723/4653.46676
JO  -  Journal of Sex- and Gender-Specific Medicine
JA  -  J Sex Gender Specif Med
VL  -  12
IS  -  1
SP  -  19
EP  -  27
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2974-8623
Y2  -  2026/04/25
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1723/4653.46676
N2  -  Summary. This narrative review examines - gender-based digital vicarious trauma (DVT) in conflict zones, integrating findings from 55 peer-reviewed studies (2013-2025) and ethnographic observations. The review demonstrates that recurrent exposure to conflict-related content on social media can lead to severe psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, emotional numbness, and secondary trauma. Women are particularly impacted due to caregiving responsibilities, restricted access to psychosocial resources, and increased exposure to gender-based violence.While there is a growing body of research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and direct trauma in conflict regions, the indirect psychological effects of digital trauma remain insufficiently understood – particularly for structurally vulnerable women in high-risk, resource-constrained environments. This gap hinders the development of targeted interventions that account for gender, digital literacy, and socioeconomic vulnerability. Addressing this need is urgent, as online exposure has become a dominant mode of trauma transmission. This study presents an interdisciplinary approach to DVT in conflict scenarios, offering significant implications for public health policy, psychiatry, and future research. Finally, the study identifies a critical need for gender-sensitive and trauma-informed interventions, such as mobile psychological support teams, community-based peer networks, and trauma-aware online content moderation.
ER  -