British Journal of Health Psychology, 11(4), November 2006, pp.695-702.
Publisher:
Wiley
Jezzine inhabitants were exposed to war stressors for 17 years. This study aims at determining the prevalence of psychiatric distress (PD) among Jezzine citizens who were exposed to war for 17 years and to identify associated factors. A sample of 142 citizens was randomly selected from a population of 5,000. A novel questionnaire was used to collect data on war exposure, socioeconomic and demographic variables. PD was assessed using GHQ-12. Data were analysed by logistic regression. PD was found in 26% of Jezzine residents. PD was associated with age, marital status, education, experience of war-related events, chronic illness and alcohol drinking. After adjusting for all variables, PD remained significantly correlated with older age and low education (odds ratios were 7.59 and 4.28, respectively). The prevalence of PD among the residents of Jezzine after a year of the Israeli withdrawal was similar to that reported in other communities whether they were, or were not, exposed to war stress. Higher prevalence among older and less educated individuals suggests the presence of a significant age cohort effect and cognitive construal factors for PD among persons chronically exposed to war-related stressors.
Jezzine inhabitants were exposed to war stressors for 17 years. This study aims at determining the prevalence of psychiatric distress (PD) among Jezzine citizens who were exposed to war for 17 years and to identify associated factors. A sample of 142 citizens was randomly selected from a population of 5,000. A novel questionnaire was used to collect data on war exposure, socioeconomic and demographic variables. PD was assessed using GHQ-12. Data were analysed by logistic regression. PD was found in 26% of Jezzine residents. PD was associated with age, marital status, education, experience of war-related events, chronic illness and alcohol drinking. After adjusting for all variables, PD remained significantly correlated with older age and low education (odds ratios were 7.59 and 4.28, respectively). The prevalence of PD among the residents of Jezzine after a year of the Israeli withdrawal was similar to that reported in other communities whether they were, or were not, exposed to war stress. Higher prevalence among older and less educated individuals suggests the presence of a significant age cohort effect and cognitive construal factors for PD among persons chronically exposed to war-related stressors.
Subject terms:
questionnaires, socioeconomic groups, stress, traumas, war, demographics;
Child: Care, Health and Development, 36(3), May 2010, pp.361-368.
Publisher:
Wiley
Compared to Western societies, little is known about child sexual abuse (CSA) in the Arab world. This study examined the prevalence, risk factors and consequences associated with CSA in Lebanese children before, during and after the 2006 Hezbollah-Israeli war. Every third child presenting to primary care health centres and social services agencies in a one month period in 2006 (n= 1028; 556 boys; 472 girls) was interviewed. In total, 249 (24%) children reported at least one incident of CSA; 110 (11%) occurred before the war, 90 (8%) took place in the 1-year period after the war to the time of the data collection and 49 (5%) occurred during the 33-day war. There were no gender differences in CSA reports before or after the war, but boys reported more incidents during the war than did girls. Girls who reported CSA had higher trauma-related symptoms for sleep disturbance, somatisation, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety than did boys. There were geographic differences in the reports that may be associated with poverty and living standards. Analyses indicated that children's age, family size, fathers' education level and family functioning significantly predicted CSA during the period following the war. The prevalence of CSA in this study is within the reported international range. It is concluded that, given the increase in the incidents of CSA during the war and the significant findings for family-related risk factors, there is an urgent need to provide multi-component culturally appropriate interventions that target the child and the family system in times of peace and conflict.
Compared to Western societies, little is known about child sexual abuse (CSA) in the Arab world. This study examined the prevalence, risk factors and consequences associated with CSA in Lebanese children before, during and after the 2006 Hezbollah-Israeli war. Every third child presenting to primary care health centres and social services agencies in a one month period in 2006 (n= 1028; 556 boys; 472 girls) was interviewed. In total, 249 (24%) children reported at least one incident of CSA; 110 (11%) occurred before the war, 90 (8%) took place in the 1-year period after the war to the time of the data collection and 49 (5%) occurred during the 33-day war. There were no gender differences in CSA reports before or after the war, but boys reported more incidents during the war than did girls. Girls who reported CSA had higher trauma-related symptoms for sleep disturbance, somatisation, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety than did boys. There were geographic differences in the reports that may be associated with poverty and living standards. Analyses indicated that children's age, family size, fathers' education level and family functioning significantly predicted CSA during the period following the war. The prevalence of CSA in this study is within the reported international range. It is concluded that, given the increase in the incidents of CSA during the war and the significant findings for family-related risk factors, there is an urgent need to provide multi-component culturally appropriate interventions that target the child and the family system in times of peace and conflict.
Subject terms:
standard of living, traumas, war, boys, child sexual abuse, families, fathers, girls;
Social Science and Medicine, 67(8), October 2008, pp.1208-1216.
Publisher:
Elsevier
Although there is abundant evidence that mass traumas are associated with adverse mental health consequences, few studies have used nationally representative samples to examine the impact of war on civilians, and none have examined the impact of the Israel–Hezbollah War, which involved unprecedented levels of civilian trauma exposure from July 12 to August 14, 2006. The aims of this study were
Although there is abundant evidence that mass traumas are associated with adverse mental health consequences, few studies have used nationally representative samples to examine the impact of war on civilians, and none have examined the impact of the Israel–Hezbollah War, which involved unprecedented levels of civilian trauma exposure from July 12 to August 14, 2006. The aims of this study were to document probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), determined by the PTSD Symptom Scale and self-reported functional impairment, in Jewish and Arab residents of Israel immediately after the Israel–Hezbollah War and to assess potential risk and resilience factors. A telephone survey was conducted August 15–October 5, 2006, following the cessation of rocket attacks. Stratified random sampling methods yielded a nationally representative population sample of 1200 adult Israeli residents. The rate of probable PTSD was 7.2%. Higher risk of probable PTSD was associated with being a woman, recent trauma exposure, economic loss, and higher psychosocial resource loss. Lower risk of probable PTSD was associated with higher education. The results suggest that economic and psychosocial resource loss, in addition to trauma exposure, have an impact on post-trauma functioning. Thus, interventions that bolster these resources might prove effective in alleviating civilian psychopathology during war.
Subject terms:
Judaism, Jewish people, mental health problems, post traumatic stress disorder, psychiatry, risk, traumas, war, adolescence, coping behaviour;