Mental health burden of conflict: rates and correlates of depressive and anxiety symptoms among displaced Palestinian children and adolescents in Qatar
<h3 dir="ltr">Aims</h3><p dir="ltr">To estimate the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms and to identify psychosocial and trauma-related factors associated with symptom severity in this population.</p><h3 dir="ltr&qu...
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2025
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| Summary: | <h3 dir="ltr">Aims</h3><p dir="ltr">To estimate the prevalence of clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms and to identify psychosocial and trauma-related factors associated with symptom severity in this population.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Method</h3><p dir="ltr">A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 Palestinian children (aged 8–17 years) residing in a residential compound in Qatar. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-Child Version and the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire-Child Version, respectively. A Resilience and Demographic Questionnaire was devised to assess trauma exposure and psychosocial variables. Multiple linear regression identified factors associated with symptom severity.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Results</h3><p dir="ltr">Clinically significant anxiety and depressive symptoms were found in 70.9 and 46.0% of participants, respectively. Separation anxiety was the most common subtype. Female gender, witnessing death, physical injury and disrupted caregiving were significantly associated with worse outcomes.</p><h3 dir="ltr">Conclusions</h3><p dir="ltr">This study highlights the urgent need for trauma-informed, culturally sensitive mental health services for displaced Palestinian children and young people. While clinical interventions are vital, a sustainable resolution to the conflict is essential to mitigate further psychological harm.</p><h2 dir="ltr">Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: BJPsych Open<br>License: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2025.10912" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2025.10912</a></p> |
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