Using a Biopsychosocial Approach to Examine Differences in Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms Among Arab and Jewish Israeli Mothers Following A Child’s Traumatic Medical Event

Abstract

Background: Parents of children following a traumatic medical event (TME) are known to be at high risk for developing severe post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Findings on the negative impact of TMEs on parents’ PTSS have been described in different cultures and societies worldwide. However, in some cases, a specific ethnic group may also be a minority within a given region or a country, contributing to increased risk for parental PTSS following a child’s TME.Objectives: The current study aimed to examine differences in PTSS between Israeli-Arab and Israeli-Jewish mothers, following a child’s TME. More specifically, we aimed to examine the risk and protective factors affecting mother’s PTSS from a biopsychosocial approach.Methods: Data were collected from medical files of children following TMEs, hospitalized in a pediatric rehabilitation department, during the period 2008–2018. The sample included 47 Israeli-Arab mothers and 47 Israeli-Jewish mothers. Mothers completed the psychosocial assessment tool (PAT), the post-traumatic diagnostic scale (PDS).Results: Arab mothers self-reported significantly higher levels of PTSS than their Jewish counterparts. Further, Arab mothers perceived having more social support than Jewish mothers did. Finally, our prediction model indicated that both Arab ethnicity and pre-trauma family problems predicted higher levels of PTSS among mothers of children following TMEs.Conclusions: Focusing on ethnic and cultural effects following a child’s TME may help improve our understanding of the mental health needs of mothers from different minority ethnic groups and aid in developing appropriate health services and targeted interventions for this population.

Families following pediatric traumatic medical events: identifying psychosocial risk profiles using latent profile analysis

“…In addition, perceived discrimination may prevent individuals from seeking support and using social resources that are perceived to be available only to the majority group (Wolmer et al, 2014 ). Acknowledging the health disparities faced by ethnicity groups worldwide (Kazak et al, 2020 ) and in Israel in particular (Hussien et al, 2021 ) is in line with the recent Sustainable Development Goals identified by the United Nations for a better future for all (Daelmans et al, 2017 ). Health services tailored to cultural values and needs may help bridge the gap between families and the pediatric healthcare system (Williams et al, 2014 ).…”

“…Examining the factors that may be universally related to adjustment outcomes and those that may be culture- or diagnosis-dependent could enhance our understanding of specific risk and protective factors following PTMEs (Sharkey et al, 2020 ). Studies have indicated that due to social structures that drive oppression and racism, ethnic minorities such as the Israeli-Arab population, may have an increased risk of developing PTSS following PTMEs (Hussien et al, 2021 ; Randall, 1996 ). These may be related to disparities in access to economic and social resources, perceptions of discrimination, or due to culturally-specific attitudes and beliefs that mediate coping with a traumatic event (Wolmer et al, 2014 ).…”