The relationship between war trauma and anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder among preschool children in the Gaza Strip

Abstract EN

The current study investigated the relationship between war trauma and anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among preschool children in the Gaza Strip.

Methods: N=399 mothers and their preschool children who were enrolled in kindergartens in the Gaza Strip.

Child ages ranged from 3-6 years with mean age of 4.48 years.

Mothers were interviewed using a sociodemographic questionnaire, Gaza Traumatic Events Checklist, Child PTSD Symptom Scale-parent form, and Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale.

Results: The most commonly reported traumatic experiences by mothers for their children were: hearing shelling of the area by artillery (95.5%), hearing loud noises from drones (89.2%) and seeing mutilated bodies on TV (81.2%).

The mean number of traumas experienced by preschool children was 8.3.

PTSD prevalence was 6% with scores higher in children aged five and older.

The mean for total anxiety was 49.84, generalized anxiety was 10.7, social anxiety was 8.4; specific phobia was 21.1, and separation anxiety was 9.65.

There were significant associations between trauma and PTSD and anxiety as well as a significant association between PTSD and anxiety.

Conclusion: Preschool children exposed to war-related incidents are at risk of developing PTSD and anxiety problems, which highlights the need to establish programs for preschool children affected by traumatic events associated with war.