Post-traumatic stress reactions in children of war.
The aims of this study were to estimate the rate of post-traumatic stress reactions in Palestinian children who experienced war traumas, and to investigate the relationship between trauma-related factors and PTSD reactions. The sample consisted of 239 children of 6 to 11 years of age. Measures included the Rutter A2 (parent) and B2 (teacher) scales, the Gaza Traumatic Event Checklist, and the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index. Of the sample, 174 children (72.8%) reported PTSD reactions of at least mild intensity, while 98 (41%) reported moderate/severe PTSD reactions. Caseness on the Rutter A2 scale was detected in 64 children (26.8%), which correlated well with detection of PTSD reactions, but not with teacher-detected caseness. The total number of experienced traumas was the best predictor of presence and severity of PTSD. Intervention programmes for post-war children need to be evaluated, taking into account developmental and cultural aspects, as well as characteristics of the communities involved.
Thabet
A A
AA
Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, Palestine.
Vostanis
P
P
D018912:Arabs / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare