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.

中文翻译：

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沙特阿拉伯南部也门武装冲突地区儿童的应对机制和创伤后压力

摘要

这项研究试图探讨与战争有关的创伤、其压力影响以及沙特学童的应对策略。作者假设，遭受战争相关创伤的儿童会表现出更高水平的 PTSD，而那些具有更高水平 PTSD 症状的儿童会使用更多适应不良的应对策略。该研究描述了创伤事件与创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）之间的相关性以及应对策略。居住在沙特阿拉伯南部冲突地区的 527 名 12 至 18 岁的中学生和高中生完成了三个标准化自我报告量表：战区创伤事件清单、儿童 PTSD 症状量表和儿童创伤后应激障碍症状量表。应对策略清单。每个参与的学生都是随机选择的。分析基于两组：高 PTSD 症状组（182 名儿童）和低 PTSD 症状组（345 名儿童）。这项研究是在 2020 年 9 月至 2022 年 4 月期间进行的，当时战争正在进行，是一项正在进行的更大规模研究的一部分。经历过战争相关创伤事件的儿童患创伤后应激障碍（PTSD）的患病率更高。孩子们报告了严重的创伤后应激障碍症状，并采用了各种应对策略来管理相关压力。参与者很少报告说心理或教育干预措施已被用来管理与战争有关的创伤经历和创伤后应激障碍或改善相关的应对方式。研究结果是在冲突地区儿童所需的心理健康服务的背景下进行讨论的。为了弥合医疗保健服务与患有创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 儿童的需求之间的差距，并为了更好地理解和干预，邀请卫生专业人员开发一种生物心理社会模型，该模型可识别与在学校接触战争相关创伤事件相关的创伤后应激障碍 (PTSD) 风险。因此，我们提供了一个多学科干预计划，教育、鼓励和支持教师和家长遵循医疗建议和目标。