Psychological impacts of the Gaza war on Palestinian young adults: a cross-sectional study of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Gaza Strip has been embroiled in a violent military assault since October 2023, with an immense toll on the civilian population. Armed conflicts threaten the mental health of affected communities and survivors, and psychiatric morbidity increases with forced displacement and with severe and recurrent trauma. This study investigates the prevalence and predisposing factors of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD symptoms in a group of young adult students from the Gaza Strip during the war.

Methods

A cross-sectional, internet-based survey recruited medical students from the Gaza Strip and used the DASS21, SWLS, and PCL-5 instruments. PTSD diagnosis required having a PCL-5 score ≥ 23 and fulfilling the DSM-5 criteria. Rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and li

SUBMITTER: Aldabbour B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11600870 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature