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Coping Mechanisms and Posttraumatic Stress Exhibited by Children in Areas of Yemen's Armed Conflict in Southern Saudi Arabia.

Authors :
Alqahtani, Mohammed M. J.
Al-Loghbi, Aisha Ahmad S.
AlSalehi, Saleh Mohd
Al-Hifthy, Elham H.
Saleh Al-Hrbi, Faten Hadi
Alqahtani, Yasser Jubran
Alkhamees, Hadeel Abdulmohsen
Mahmoud, Mahmoud Abdulrahman
Mukhadi, Jubran Y. A.
Alkhathami, Saleh S. M.
Altakroni, Habib S. A.
Alyemni, Noora S. A.
Source :
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma. Sep2024, Vol. 17 Issue 3, p723-733. 11p.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

This study is an attempt to explore war-related trauma, its stressful effects, and the coping strategies of Saudi schoolchildren. The authors hypothesized that children exposed to war-related trauma will show higher levels of PTSD, and that those with higher levels of PTSD symptoms use more maladaptive coping strategies. The study describes the correlation between traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as well as coping strategies. Five hundred twenty-seven intermediate and high school students, 12 to 18 years old, living in the conflict zone in southern Saudi Arabia completed three standardized self-reported scales: the War Zone Traumatic Events Checklist, the Child PTSD Symptom Scale, and the Children's Coping Strategies Checklist. Each participating student was randomly chosen. Analysis was based on two groups: the high-PTSD symptoms group (182 children) and the low-PTSD symptoms group (345 children). The study was conducted between September 2020 and April 2022 while the war was ongoing as part of an ongoing larger study. Children exposed to war-related traumatic events exhibited greater prevalence rates for PTSD. The children reported high levels of PTSD symptoms and applied a variety of coping strategies to manage related stress. Participants rarely reported that psychological or educational interventions had been used to manage the war-related traumatic experiences and PTSD or to improve related coping styles. The results are discussed in the context of mental health services needed for children in the conflict zone. To bridge the gap between health care services and the needs of children with PTSD, and for better understanding and interventions, health professionals are invited to develop a biopsychosocial model that identifies the risks of PTSD related to exposure to war-related traumatic events in school-aged children and, hence, provide a multidisciplinary intervention program that educates, encourages, and supports teachers and parents in following medical recommendations and goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
19361521
Volume :
17
Issue :
3
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179738568
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-024-00630-9