Relationship between Trauma due to Winter Storm Alexa, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Other Mental Health Problems of Palestinian Children in Gaza Strip

Abstract

P. Relationship between trauma due to winter storm Alexa, post- traumatic stress disorder and other Aim: This study investigated the relationship between trauma due to winter storm Alexa, post- mental health problems of Palestin- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems (MHPs) of Palestinian chil- ian children in Gaza Strip. Psychol dren in Gaza Strip. Cogn Sci Open J. 2016; 2(2): 66-72. Method: The sample consisted of 105 boys (50%) and 105 girls (50%) selected from 3 of the most affected areas by flooding in 2014 due to Alex storm in Gaza Strip. Participant’s age ranged from 9 to 18 with a mean age of 13.05 years. Mental health status was assessed by a socio-demographic scale, the Trauma due to Flood Scale, the Revised Impact of Events Scale (IES-R), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)-parent form. Results: Overall, there were no statistically significant differences between boys and girls in to- tal traumatic events (5.98 vs. 6.41). Mean PTSD symptoms was 28.82, intrusion symptoms was 7.4, avoidance symptoms was 10.08, and arousal symptoms was 11.33, 47.6% of children were considered as PTSD. Girls reported significantly more PTSD symptoms and avoidance symp- toms compared to boys. Total traumatic events were significantly correlated to post-traumatic stress reaction symptoms and with intrusion symptoms. Using the SDQ-parent form, 40% of children were rated by parents as caseness, 24.3% as hy- peractive, 51.9% as having emotional problems, 46.2% had conduct problems, 55.7% had peer problems, and 2.9% had abnormal prosocial behavior. Post-traumatic stress reaction symptoms were correlated only with emotional problems rated by parents. Conclusion and Implications: This study has important implications for need of establishing and implementing psychosocial intervention programs for school-aged children in the Gaza Strip not only for those victims of political violence but also for children exposed to other types of traumatic events such as natural disasters. Copyright