Exposure to war trauma and PTSD among parents and children in the Gaza strip

Abstract

Exposure to war trauma impacts on both parents' and children's mental health, whose emotional responses are inter-related. Both universal and targeted interventions should preferably involve families. These could be provided by non-governmental organizations in the first instance.

Coping With Trauma Among Children in South of Gaza Strip

“…This rate was less than the studies done in the north and the middle area of the Gaza Strip in which 71% of the children were considered to be suffering from PTSD. 31 Our results were consistent with the results of the study on of children and adolescents aged between 8-16 years in Gaza and the West Bank. The frequency of PTSD scores above the established cut-off score (likely PTSD) was 21.2%.…”

“…40 This was inconsistent with the results our previous study on the effect of shelling in children. 31,35,36 According to this study, the prevalence of mental health problems rated by teachers and parents were less than previously recorded rates in the study in of the children (38.5%) from Gaza were rated as having caseness by teachers and (36.9%) by parents. 20 Girls reported more mental health problems by themselves than boys.…”

“…Mean CPTSD-RI was 31 Also, the older group developed intrusion symptoms more than the younger age group (t=-2.49, p=0.01) and hyperarousal symptoms (t=-2.18, p=0.03). However, no age differences was observed for avoidance symptoms.…”

“…This is similar to our study of children in North Gaza and Middle area after incursion. 20, [31][32][33][34][35][36] Bosnian children reported other types of traumatic events such as separation from parents, death of parents or siblings, and extreme poverty or deprivation. 8 From the above mentioned studies, we can conclude that each culture and area may need a certain measure of exposure to trauma in order to adapt to the type of conflict and the involvement of children and their families.…”

“…This finding concerning the risks of trauma in boys was consistent with the previous studies in the Gaza Strip. 31,32,[35][36][37] This high exposure was attributed to cultural factors in which boys moved aside during incursions and bombardment and witnessed the remnant of the martyrs in the streets. While Palestinian girls are protected and kept at home and not allowed going outside the home.…”