Psychological filters for conflict news: trauma and media literacy of the Syrian audience

Bulgarova Bella Akhmedovna ORCID: 0000-0001-6005-2505 PhD in Philology Associate Professor; Department of Mass Communications; RUDN University Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia bulgarova-ba@rudn.ru Other publications by this author     Elias Rula ORCID: 0009-0009-1773-6085 Postgraduate student; Department of Mass Communications; P. Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia 1032229447@rudn.ru Other publications by this author     Dzhuma Kayan ORCID: 0009-0002-4117-9281 Postgraduate Student; Department of Mass Communications; P. Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, Moscow, 117198, Russia 1032215986@rudn.ru Other publications by this author

Gafurova Linara Raisovna ORCID: 0009-0001-2294-5342 Teacher of Pre-school Education; Institute of the Russian Language; P. Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University of Russia 6 Miklukho-Maklaya str., Obruchevsky district, Moscow, 117198, Russia belamie22@gmail.com Other publications by this author

Introduction

Understanding how an audience filters news provides valuable insights into how people navigate the complex and often contradictory information they encounter on a daily basis. By examining the cognitive processes underlying news consumption, researchers can analyze how readers choose, evaluate, and prioritize news content based on their personal beliefs, biases, and frames. This understanding is especially important in the Arab world, where media consumption is closely linked to cultural, social, political, and historical contexts.

This article focuses on how the Syrian audience emotionally filters, interprets, and understands news coming from a country that is suffering from population displacement, violence, and a fragmented information landscape. The authors of the study consider the personal emotional filters of Syrians that affect their perception of the news.

As this study sheds light on the role of emotions such as fear, anger, and empathy in shaping news consumption, it also concludes with practical tips to raise awareness of the need for media literacy education from an early age, emphasizing the importance of the next generation acquiring the skills needed to critically evaluate information and combat misinformation. Such skills should be instilled from school age. Media literacy is necessary to educate informed citizens, improve learning outcomes, and promote healthy social discourse.

Psychological problems after reading the news about conflicts: a general overview

In recent years, large-scale collective traumas in society, such as natural disasters, pandemics, and armed conflicts, have become more frequent and severe. The development of social media and digital technologies has made it easier for the public to access real-time coverage of such events, often without contextual filters or warnings. As a result, people around the world are constantly confronted with detailed and often traumatic images in the media, including live and unfiltered content. To attract a large audience, the media increasingly use vivid, visual effects that can enhance the emotional impact of negative events ^{[1, pp. 111-124]}.

In parallel with the increased information awareness of the population, the level of general anxiety is also increasing. Although experts rate the consumption of news content as a secondary contributing factor for patients showing symptoms of sadness or anxiety ^{[2, p.100063]}, research shows that graphic images in the media, whether in news reports or artistic content such as movies and video games, can enhance emotional engagement. For example, exposure to disturbing visual effects, such as images of injured or deceased victims, can lead to flashbacks and prolonged stress.

The constant exposure to visual news content raised important questions about how such images affect mental well-being, and it was concluded that “the amount and visual-graphic nature of the media's impact on public trauma were independently associated with subsequent mental health and functional disorders" ^{[1, pp. 111-124]}. However, the idea that viewing graphic images encourages people to engage in prosocial actions is not supported by reliable empirical evidence; rather, there is evidence that viewing graphic images is associated with increased mental suffering and impaired functioning of cognitive processes ^[3].

The numerous psychological problems of the Syrian audience exposed to the media

In Syria, the emotional consequences of the conflict are deeply personal. After more than a decade of war and political change, every Syrian has experienced loss in one form or another. According to the UN, more than 350,200 people died, and countless others were displaced or forced to flee to safer areas ^[4]. It is estimated that about 10% of Syrians have mild to moderate mental disorders, and 1 in 30 are likely to have more serious illnesses ^[5].

In the course of more in-depth surveys and studies, it was concluded that the incidence of PTSD is 30.6%, and depressive disorders - 30.8% ^{[6, p. 2468]}.

Moreover, anxiety (29.5%), depression (32.0%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (35.1%) were among the mental health problems faced by 60.5% of Syrian students as a result of the protracted conflict ^{[7, pp. 1231-1239]}.

In 2024, the suicide rate increased dramatically: according to the Syrian response coordinators, 104 suicides and 87 suicide attempts were registered throughout the country, which were distributed as follows ^[8]:

- Areas controlled by the Assad regime: 45 suicides and 37 suicide attempts;

- Eastern Syria: 22 suicides and 29 suicide attempts;

- Northwestern Syria: 37 suicides and 21 suicide attempts.

According to the World Health Organization, there are only four medical institutions in northwestern Syria, and “there are only two psychiatrists for a population of 4.5 million people” ^[9].

Destroyed homes, separated families, and destroyed communities indicate catastrophic and unexpected gaps in the structure of personality and family, leading to the destruction of cultural identity and generational continuity ^{[10, pp. 3-21]}.

Loss of cultural identity and the gap between generations

The aggravation of pre-existing conflict-related mental disorders, new problems caused by violence, displacement and numerous conflict-related losses, as well as difficulties in adapting to living conditions after an emergency, such as living conditions in other countries as refugees, are just some of the many mental health problems faced Syrians may encounter ^{[11, pp. 129-141]}. The Syrian conflict has “potentially increased anxiety about existential destruction and fears of loss of national (and personal) identity” ^[12].

The trauma of Syrians' collective identity is compounded by the loss of social ties, cultural traditions, and the destruction of social structures that once united people and gave meaning to their lives. The idea of collective identity trauma is that violence is directed not only against individuals, but also against the common identity of the group. Syrians who have experienced torture, seen their family members killed, or lived in harsh conditions often describe feeling disconnected from their pre-war lives and communities. The trauma these refugees experience is compounded by the stigma and discrimination they face in the countries that have accepted them. In these countries, refugees often feel like strangers, and this can lead to feelings of hopelessness and loss of purpose. These feelings are more common among Syrian refugees than among internally displaced persons who are still in Syria.

The emotional effects of war affect not only survivors of violence; they can also affect families and society as a whole, and even future generations. For example, refugee children often grow up with the same mental health problems as their parents. These problems may include behavioral problems, anxiety, and problems forming a stable identity. Many young refugees are thinking about suicide and behaving aggressively. This suggests that unresolved collective trauma or emotional pain experienced together can lead to permanent problems.

Intellectuals and the crisis of Meaning

These kinds of psychological problems are not unique to ordinary audiences; they are also associated with intellectuals who have either stayed in the country or left it. The intellectual audience was struck by the loss of meaning, or, as they say, the “right to meaning” within Western societies. This should manifest itself in their sense of inequality when their rights to life, speech, and self-expression are aligned with the rights of Western thinkers. They become unrecognized as trauma, and this is due to the fact that the political will (or power) to recognize, remember and compensate for the damage to the population that has experienced historical trauma is not always manifested when stories about offenses, victims and criminals are presented to audiences around the world in an accessible form as an attempt to create universal traumatic dramas ^[13].

Syrian intellectuals are experiencing a deep crisis of meanings due to the ongoing conflict. This crisis has occurred because the narratives that once united Syrian society have disintegrated. These narratives include national identity and collective purpose. Intellectuals, who are usually considered people who create the culture and beliefs of a nation, discover that what they believed before the war cannot explain why the war led to such destruction. This causes them to have a strong sense of contradiction with their own beliefs. Their voices are ignored by groups that want to control the armed forces and the Government. Because of this, the Syrian society is losing its sense of purpose. People are either forced to do things that contradict their beliefs, or they are silenced.

Despite their efforts to create new forms of understanding through transnational solidarity or documentary projects, these attempts are often hampered by contradictions. For example, some people who have left their country and now live in other countries are criticized for not knowing what is really happening in their country. At the same time, people living in Syria run the risk of being captured by others or being punished by the Government. The study shows that this crisis is connected not only with ideas, but also with our very existence. In times of crisis, people often put their own survival first. The crisis is still ongoing, and many Syrians are suffering from injuries and forced displacement. This makes it difficult to restore a sense of purpose. The Syrian intelligentsia and society are in a state between destruction and the possibility of rebirth.

The specifics of the perception of news content by the Syrian audience in accordance with military traumas

The Syrian crisis and the war that began in 2011 have led to profound psychological shifts in the perception of news by the audience, especially among those who are mature enough to realize the scale of the destruction around them. These psychological changes have distorted the perception of the media not only by the older audience, but also by younger generations who grew up in the era of social media and digital news. Both groups are acutely aware of the incessant flow of information about their country, which has fundamentally changed their attitude to the news. The aftermath of the war has had a profound impact on how Syrians perceive the news, not only within the country, but also among the nearly 15 million displaced people scattered around the world.

When exposed to the news, especially about Syria, the audience now subconsciously sifts information through several layers before forming a reaction. These filters are related to psychology, various psychological traumas, or problems that are developed individually, adding to them, among other things, individual socio-cultural background, educational level, economic status, religious beliefs, and language proficiency. The cumulative effect of prolonged exposure to crisis-related news has led to the emergence of a new paradigm of media perception, dominated by skepticism, emotional fatigue, and selective participation. Many Syrians have developed hypersensitivity to graphic or provocative content, while others exhibit decreased sensitivity as a coping mechanism. This double reaction highlights the complex psychological consequences of prolonged exposure to traumatic news cycles.

The situation is exacerbated by the influence of social media algorithms that reinforce some narratives while suppressing others, shaping how Syrians perceive their own reality. The interaction between personal trauma and media consumption has created a unique news perception system for the Syrian audience, in which emotional survival is prioritized not only in terms of the reliability of facts. A study conducted by the authors of the article among the Syrian audience (300 people participated in the survey) showed that their emotional reaction to news about collective traumas, such as the famine crisis in Sudan, can be divided into three separate groups, as shown in Table 1.:

Table 1. Assessment of the interest of the Syrian audience in the news about the famine crisis in Sudan

1. Filtering emotional attachment

40% of the Syrian audience are people who filter emotional attachment, and they are attracted to news about crises such as famine because they see their own struggles reflected in these stories. For them, news is not just information, it is a way to feel that they are understood, to show solidarity and to get an idea of how to deal with similar problems. This emotional connection makes the news extremely relevant, encouraging them to actively participate and seek solace in shared experiences.

On the other hand, research shows that people often share content that evokes strong emotions, such as compassion, or conforms to their beliefs — this behavior is explained by a bias towards confirmation ^{[14, pp. 175-220]}. This contrasts with cognitive dissonance ^[15], when the audience avoids information that contradicts their views or causes discomfort. For those who have experienced loss, this means that they are attracted to stories that reflect their pain, whether it's the loss of loved ones or material assets. Syrians are deeply passionate about humanitarian stories, conflict news, and reports of martyrdom, often commenting, sharing, and using these platforms to tell their own stories and cope with their trauma.

2. Filtering of psychological defense mechanisms

The second group of Syrians surveyed uses psychological defense mechanisms to cope with unpleasant news. Aware of the crisis, they consciously limit their food intake to protect their emotional well-being, avoiding feelings of helplessness, anxiety, or depression. This coping strategy helps them maintain psychological balance, even if it means they remain less informed. For many members of this group, personal experience determines how they perceive news, often leading them to avoid stories that evoke painful memories or unresolved trauma. Instead, they carefully choose reliable channels and formats such as daily podcasts or email newsletters that provide concise, understandable updates without intrusiveness^[16]. This approach reflects their need to control their news consumption, often by unsubscribing or blocking content that can cause emotional wounds.

This group makes up 29% of the Syrian audience, which is often limited to watching headlines or casualty figures, avoiding diving deeper into traumatic stories. This group is very selective and decides quickly whether to continue reading or stop, as immersion in psychological trauma can reopen the wounds they have so painstakingly healed. First of all, the Syrian audience is interested in news about their native country, avoiding deeper discussions or interaction with other readers. Their behavior highlights the contradiction between staying informed and protecting mental health, as they try to find a delicate balance between how to deal with unpleasant news while maintaining emotional stability.

3. Avoidance filtering

As a rule, people who have experienced trauma may avoid conflict-related news to protect themselves from repeated trauma, as exposure to violence or death can trigger painful memories and emotions.

About 31% of the surveyed Syrian audience practices information filtering, actively avoiding news about crises, especially when the topic affects their interests. For many in this group, reading about other people's difficulties, especially when they reflect on their own problems, can be overwhelming. This avoidance often stems from a desire to focus on one's personal circumstances without taking on the additional emotional burden of other people's difficulties.

They completely avoid news about war, natural disasters, and injuries, preferring instead to focus on lighter topics such as entertainment, technology, or news from other countries. Many of them are young immigrants who have settled in their new homes, adopted a new local culture and prefer not to return to painful memories of their past. They often rely on news from their adopted countries and engage in social or political activities there, viewing their migration as an opportunity to start all over again. For them, avoiding news about security, the economy, or conditions of service in Syria is a way to move forward and maintain a sense of control over their emotional well-being ^{[17, pp. 909-922]}. By avoiding such content, they regain a sense of control over their environment and their emotions and instead focus on building a new life free from the shadows of the past.

The way forward: media literacy as a necessity

By increasing media literacy, Syria can help its population critically evaluate news, identify reliable sources, and confidently navigate the modern complex information space without emotional filters. These efforts go beyond just fighting fake news; they aim to build a more informed, engaged, and resilient community. More importantly, in a world where disinformation spreads faster than facts, teaching young Syrians the skills to distinguish truth from lies is not just an educational goal — it is a societal imperative. By teaching them to doubt the credibility of sources, recognize bias, and understand the motives behind media reports, Syria can raise a generation of critical-minded people who are less susceptible to manipulation and more capable of making informed decisions.

While free education and the use of social media platforms to identify reliable news sources and facilitate fact-checking can enhance the media literacy of certain segments of the Syrian audience, these efforts alone are not enough. These initiatives often only reach those who already have the motivation to seek such resources, leaving behind a significant portion of the population, especially younger students, who may not yet have sufficient awareness or access to them. Critical news reading, fact checking, and sources are skills that need to be developed through consistent habits and early learning. Without these skills, even well-intentioned people can fall victim to emotional filtering when personal biases and emotions prevent them from making decisions.

That's why it's so important to include media literacy in school curricula. Schools create a structured environment in which these skills can be systematically taught and strengthened over time. By introducing media literacy into subjects such as linguistics, social studies, and even natural sciences, students can learn to analyze media reports in context, understand the role of media in society, and develop a healthy skepticism about unverified information. For example, students can practice evaluating the credibility of a news article, identifying the difference between opinion and fact, or even creating their own media content to understand the process behind it. This practical experience not only develops critical thinking skills, but also helps students become active and responsible participants in the digital world.

The benefits of integrating media literacy into the educational process go far beyond the classroom. In a country like Syria, where years of conflict have left deep scars and where the media landscape is fragmented, media literacy can serve as a tool for healing and unification. By teaching young Syrians to be critical of information, schools can help overcome differences, reduce the spread of harmful stereotypes, and foster a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding. In addition, media-literate youth are better equipped to contribute to the development of their communities, whether by sharing accurate information during crises, advocating for social change, or simply participating in informed discussions about their country's future.

Ultimately, media literacy is not just the ability to navigate the digital world, it is the ability to shape it. By investing in media literacy education, Syria can help its youth control their speech, resist manipulation, and build a more informed and sustainable society. This path may not be easy, but the reward of this strategic work — a generation of critically minded and caring citizens — is worth the effort.

Conclusion

The perception of news by Syrian readers is deeply influenced by emotional and psychological factors, which highlights the urgent need for media literacy education. By teaching the younger generation the skills of critical information assessment, Syria can build a society more prepared to meet the challenges of the digital age. It's more than just an educational goal—it's a path to empowerment, healing, and progress.

The article is published in the version approved by the reviewers (after receiving a positive review recommending the manuscript for publication) with corrections made by the author (after receiving the editor’s comments, if any).
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