Palestinian Children Exposed to Community and Political Violence are at Risk of Developing PTSD, Anxiety and Behavioral and Emotional Problems

Dr. Abdel Aziz Mousa Thabet, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Senior Researcher at Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, has carried out a research study on the impact of trauma on PTSD and anxiety among Palestinian school-age children. The study is conducted on a sample of 126 children in Gaza Strip, who were subjected to a traumatic incident when a Palestinian military group attacked a local private school and tried to kidnap foreign teachers. During the attack, children exposed to shooting and smashing the furniture of the school with minor injuries for few of them. Such attack occurred due to the Israeli occupation forces incursion of Jericho prison on 13 March 2006 and arresting Palestinian prisoners.

The study reveals that prevalence of PTSD in children is 19.8%, mean of IES was 27.17 while intrusion subscale mean was 11.94, and avoidance symptoms mean among them is 15.2. According to SDQ, 55 of parents responded to the SDQ, 18.4% of children were rated as cases, 21.1% had conduct problems, 6.1% had emotional problems, 6.1% had hyperactivity/inattention, 77.6% had peer relationship problems, and 1.8% had prosocial behaviour. The results showed that 92 teachers responded to SDQ for teachers; 44.1% of children were rated as caseness, 10.8% had emotional problems, 29% had conduct problems, 24.7% had hyperactivity/inattention, 64.5% had peer relationship problems, and 9.7% had prosocial behaviour. The study also found out that the prevalence of anxiety disorders according to RCMAS was 33.3%.

The study doesn't reveal any sex differences in total IES, intrusion subscale and avoidance symptoms. Children aged between 6 - 12 years rated more in total IES, intrusion and avoidance than the older group 13-18 years old.

In the same time, there were no statistically significant differences between means of anxiety in boys and girls, and no age differences. However, there was no correlation between general mental health problems and PTSD rated by parents and teachers, and anxiety self rated by children themselves.

Consequently, the study has recommended for establishing school based programs, and crisis intervention program for children exposed to community and political violence in order to avoid any deterioration in PTSD, anxiety and emotional and behavioral problems.