The degree of facing violence and its differences with depression for palestinian children in gaza strip

Abstract EN

The overall aim of this study is to assess the impact of political violence on depression among the Palestinian children in Gaza Strip.

Method: The sample consisted of 80 children of 13 to 16 years of age.

Measures included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: Of the sample 18.8 % (N=15) of the children exceed the cut-off score in the depression scale.

The differences between the case group and the control group were statistically significant, with the experimental group scored higher a significant acuter degree of depression .

We can find that gender, the family's income, mother's education, the place of residence, the age of the child and periods of exposure, were variables had no significant differences with depression.

Conclusion: cumulative experience of political violence trauma constitutes a risk factor for continuing depression symptoms which needs therapy and psychological help.