Post‐Memory of the Iran‐Iraq War in Individuals born between 1986 and 1996 in Mashhad and Ahwaz, Iran; a Comparative Study

War is one of the most disastrous events for a nation and one of the most complex social phenomena affecting the involved people, families, and society in different aspects during the war and for many years after that. This study aimed to examine the formation of the post‐memory of the Iran‐Iraq war on the people of Ahwaz and Mashhad, Iran.

The present study is quantitative research conducted using a researcher‐built questionnaire. The sample included 384 people in 1986 to 1996 birth cohorts in Iran at Mashhad and Ahwaz cities. The tool validity was confirmed using content validity, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to test its reliability. Then, using SPSS 22 statistical software.

The mean of cultural memory and family memory, as two dimensions of the formation of post‐memory, is Significantly more in Ahwaz than in Mashhad city. The post‐memory dimensions had no significant relationship with age, employment, gender, income, and education between respondents in the two cities. There was a significant relationship between cultural memory and media as the formation aspects of family involvement in the Iran‐Iraq war. In Mashhad city, school lessons were significant in forming post‐memory regarding visiting the war areas. In the Ahwaz city, marital status had significant differences regarding family memory in post‐memory formation, where differences were more among married than unmarried people.

Although many years have passed since the war, its cultural and family effects on the citizens, especially the citizens of Ahwaz, who experienced the war up close, still remain.