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Volume 18, Issue 1 (2026)
Iran J War Public Health 2026, 18(1): 1001-1007 |
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Received: 2026/02/1 | Accepted: 2026/02/14 | Published: 2026/01/29
Received: 2026/02/1 | Accepted: 2026/02/14 | Published: 2026/01/29
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Sokhanvar M, Zareipour M. Media-Based Cognitive Warfare and Its Mental Health Consequences: A Scoping Review of Anxiety, Depression, and PTSD. Iran J War Public Health 2026; 18 (1) :1001-1007
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URL: http://ijwph.ir/article-1-1733-en.html
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Abstract (136 Views)
Aims: Cognitive warfare has emerged as a modern form of conflict in which media platforms are used to influence perceptions, induce psychological pressure, and weaken societal resilience. Continuous exposure to war-related news, threatening narratives, and misinformation may contribute to adverse mental health outcomes in civilian populations. This scoping review aimed to synthesize available evidence on the psychological consequences of media-based cognitive warfare, with a focus on anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Instruments & Methods: A scoping review was conducted on Persian and English studies published between 2000 and 2025. Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SID, and MagIran using keywords related to cognitive warfare, media exposure, and mental health outcomes. After screening 67 records and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies were selected. Data were extracted and synthesized descriptively due to methodological heterogeneity.
Findings: Across the reviewed studies, exposure to war-related media content was consistently associated with increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, PTSD manifestations, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, and reduced perceived safety. Vulnerable groups including older adults, adolescents, and individuals with occupational exposure to traumatic media showed heightened susceptibility. Two primary mechanisms were identified: (1) cognitive overload and emotional erosion caused by continuous threat-based messaging, and (2) secondary trauma induced by indirect exposure to violent imagery.
Conclusion: Media-based cognitive warfare exerts measurable psychological effects on civilian populations, contributing to anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. Strengthening media literacy, enhancing psychological resilience, and developing responsible media policies are essential strategies to mitigate these impacts and support public mental health.
Instruments & Methods: A scoping review was conducted on Persian and English studies published between 2000 and 2025. Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SID, and MagIran using keywords related to cognitive warfare, media exposure, and mental health outcomes. After screening 67 records and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies were selected. Data were extracted and synthesized descriptively due to methodological heterogeneity.
Findings: Across the reviewed studies, exposure to war-related media content was consistently associated with increased anxiety, depressive symptoms, PTSD manifestations, hypervigilance, intrusive thoughts, and reduced perceived safety. Vulnerable groups including older adults, adolescents, and individuals with occupational exposure to traumatic media showed heightened susceptibility. Two primary mechanisms were identified: (1) cognitive overload and emotional erosion caused by continuous threat-based messaging, and (2) secondary trauma induced by indirect exposure to violent imagery.
Conclusion: Media-based cognitive warfare exerts measurable psychological effects on civilian populations, contributing to anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms. Strengthening media literacy, enhancing psychological resilience, and developing responsible media policies are essential strategies to mitigate these impacts and support public mental health.
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