A Relationship between Palestinian Refugee Children and Sad and Stress after the 7OCT 2023 War: A Longitudinal Study

Abdelrahman Alitr

Published on: 2024-12-20

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of stress and sadness among Palestinian children who endured the trauma of the October 7, 2023 war, and to investigate the relationship between trauma-related factors and PTSD symptoms. The sample consisted of 500 children aged 4 to 17 years. Several tools were employed in the study, including the Rutter A2 (parent) and B2 (teacher) scales, the Gaza Traumatic Event Checklist, and the Child Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction Index. Findings revealed that 145 children (50%) exhibited at least mild PTSD reactions, while 350 children (94%) experienced moderate to severe PTSD symptoms. On the Rutter A2 scale, 50 children (26.8%) were identified as "cases," showing a strong association with PTSD reactions, though this was not mirrored in teacher-reported cases. The total number of traumatic events experienced emerged as the most significant predictor of both the presence and severity of PTSD symptoms. The study underscores the urgent need for intervention programs tailored to children affected by war, taking into account their developmental, cultural, and community-specific needs, and highlights the importance of thoroughly evaluating these programs.