The multifaceted role of soft toys in overcoming stress and traumatic experiences in children during wartime

Abstract

The article explores the multifaceted role of soft toys as an effective and accessible tool for the psychological support of children who have faced stress and traumatic experiences in the context of prolonged hostilities. A comprehensive analysis of the destructive impact of war on the fragile emotional and psychological state of the child is conducted, highlighting the key psychotherapeutic functions of soft toys in the process of providing initial psychological assistance and subsequent emotional rehabilitation.
Particular attention is paid to the ability of soft toys to create a sense of security and comfort, facilitate emotional expression, restore a sense of control over the situation, promote the development of emotional regulation and the establishment of social contacts, as well as the formation of empathy in children who have experienced trauma. In this work, we propose an expanded classification of soft toys, developed based on their potential psychological impact and the possibilities of integration into play therapy protocols.
Each category is illustrated with specific examples of toys and a rationale for their therapeutic value in the context of experiencing trauma. Categories such as toys for expressing emotions, toys symbolizing support and connection, toys embodying dreams and hopes, colored toys for emotional awareness, toys symbolizing strength and courage, toys for creating a sense of protection and comfort, toys that provide a sense of warmth and care, toys reflecting diversity and tolerance, as well as toys that promote finding inner balance are considered. Practical recommendations are provided for practicing psychologists, educators, and parents on the effective use of soft toys in working with children of different ages who have been directly affected by the traumatic events of war. Special attention is paid to the creation of a safe art-therapeutic space as an important component of the comprehensive process of psychological assistance to the child and their family, where soft toys can act as important mediators in the process of emotional response and processing of traumatic experiences. The importance of active adult participation in the child’s play with soft toys, the manifestation of empathy and support for their emotional state, as well as the use of toys as a tool for discussing complex emotions and experiences, is emphasized. Separately, a theoretical justification for the importance of using soft toys in the context of the neurobiological consequences of trauma is presented, in particular their role in restoring a sense of bodily security and reducing the hyperactivity of the amygdala.
The mechanisms of symbolization and projection that are activated during the child’s interaction with a soft toy, which allows them to safely express unprocessed emotions and gradually integrate traumatic experiences, are examined. The obtained theoretical conclusions underscore the significance of integrating soft toys as an effective and accessible means of long-term psychological support, emotional stabilization, and the development of adaptive mechanisms in children experiencing the consequences of war. The article substantiates the need for further research in this area for a deeper understanding of the impact of various characteristics of soft toys on the emotional state of children with different levels of traumatic experience and the study of the long-term effects of their use in comprehensive psychological assistance programs, as well as the development of standardized protocols for the use of soft toys in psychological practice in the context of military conflicts.