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Risk factors for PTSD, anxiety, and depression among adolescents in gaza
Author(s) -
Kolltveit Silje,
LangeNielsen Ida Ingridsdatter,
Thabet Abdel Aziz Mousa,
Dyregrov Atle,
Pallesen Ståle,
Johnsen Tom Backer,
Laberg Jon Christian
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.21680
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , anxiety , stressor , psychology , distress , socioeconomic status , clinical psychology , anxiety disorder , psychiatry , risk factor , demography , medicine , population , sociology , economics , macroeconomics
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.