Document Type : Review paper
Author
Ph.D. in Sociology and Faculty Member. Faculty of Governance, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Abstract:This article presents a systematic review of studies examines the relationship between family life and media communication in wartime contexts through a systematic review of scholarly research published in internationally recognized academic databases. War is not solely a military or security phenomenon; beyond its observable economic, political, and cultural consequences at the societal level, it produces profound transformations within the family as the fundamental unit of society. In particular, wartime conditions reshape the emotional climate of families, patterns of interaction among family members, and the broader dynamics of intra-family communication. Within such contexts, media become a central source of information and a powerful agent in shaping perceptions, emotional responses, attitudes, and behavioral orientations among family members. The rapid expansion of digital media and social networking platforms has further intensified the mediated experience of war. As a result, families are increasingly exposed to continuous flows of information, including real-time news updates, graphic imagery, mediated narratives of violence, and unverified rumors circulating across digital networks. Such patterns of exposure may contribute to heightened levels of anxiety, perceived insecurity, and psychological stress within the family environment. At the same time, media systems perform a dual function. While excessive or unfiltered exposure to war-related content can exacerbate fear and uncertainty, media platforms can also facilitate social cohesion, maintain communication with geographically separated family members, support the formation of social support networks, and disseminate messages that foster hope and collective resilience. Findings from the reviewed literature suggest that the ways in which media content is interpreted, mediated, and managed within the family context are critically important. Parents, as primary mediators of information, play a significant role in contextualizing war-related news for children, mitigating fear, and preventing the escalation of adverse psychological consequences. Moreover, family discussions regarding wartime events contribute to shaping shared understandings of reality, regulating emotional responses, and strengthening family resilience. A review of existing scholarship indicates that much of the prior research has examined either the psychological consequences of war or the role of media independently, while comparatively limited attention has been devoted to the intersection of family dynamics and media communication during wartime. By addressing this gap, the present study seeks to clarify how media communication influences the lived experience of family life during war and to explore its implications for family mental health, resilience, media consumption practices, and the structure of family relationships.
Keywords
Subjects
Sociology of Social Communication