Risk factors for PTSD, anxiety, and depression among adolescents in gaza

• Published in: Journal of traumatic stress Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 164 - 170
• Main Authors: Kolltveit, Silje, Lange-Nielsen, Ida Ingridsdatter, Thabet, Abdel Aziz Mousa, Dyregrov, Atle, Pallesen, Ståle, Johnsen, Tom Backer, Laberg, Jon Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germantown Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.04.2012; Wiley; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Anxiety Disorders - diagnosis; Anxiety Disorders - epidemiology; Anxiety Disorders - etiology; Anxiety disorders. Neuroses; Arabs - psychology; Beta; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Depression; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - epidemiology; Depressive Disorder - etiology; Female; Gender; Humans; Male; Medical research; Medical sciences; Middle East - epidemiology; Mood disorders; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Psychology, Adolescent; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Risk Factors; Social Class; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - epidemiology; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - etiology; Warfare; Middle East; Human; Mood disorder; Affect affectivity; Anxiety disorder; Adolescent; Risk factor; Depression; Anxiety; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Stress
• ISSN: 0894-9867; 1573-6598
• DOI: 10.1002/jts.21680

The present study examined among adolescents in Gaza the relationship between exposure to war stressors and psychological distress as well as the effects of age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Data were collected from a sample of 139 adolescents 12 to 17 years old. Results showed that adolescents reported elevated levels of intrusion, avoidance, and depression compared to levels in communities not affected by war in the recent past. The proportion scoring within the clinical range of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was 56.8% compared to 6.3% in peacetime populations, reflecting a Hedges's g of 1.29 (p < .001). Significant risk factors for PTSD were exposure (β = .377, p < .001), female gender (β = −.257, p < .001), older age (β = .280, p < .01), and an unemployed father (β = −.280, p < .01). Risk factors for anxiety were exposure (β = .304, p < .001), female gender (β = −.125, p < .01), and older age (β = 272, p < .01), whereas female gender (β = <.238, p < .001) was the only significant risk factor for depression. The present study suggests large individual differences in how adolescents are affected by war stressors.