War-related exposure and psychological distress as predictors of health and sleep: a longitudinal study of Kuwaiti children.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether exposure to war-related trauma during childhood predicted posttraumatic stress, self-reported health, sleep, and obesity in adulthood, and whether psychological distress mediated the relationships.

METHODS

We assessed 151 Kuwaiti boys and girls aged 9 to 12 years in 1993 to determine their level of exposure to war-related trauma during the Iraqi occupation and Gulf war, health complaints, and psychological distress. In 2003, 120 (79%) of the initial participants reported on their posttraumatic stress, general health, body mass index (BMI), and sleep quality. We tested a structural model where exposure to war-related trauma predicted psychological distress and health complaints 2 years after the war, and posttraumatic stress, self-reported health, BMI, and sleep quality and duration 10 years later, controlling for intermediary life events. We also tested effects of exposure to war-related trauma on self-reported health and sleep factors mediated by psychological distress.

RESULTS

Results indicated a direct effect of exposure on poor sleep quality and BMI. Exposure also predicted poor sleep quality through its association with concurrent posttraumatic stress. The effect of exposure on self-reported health was mediated by health complaints and psychological distress, which included symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to war-related events during childhood is associated with posttraumatic stress, poor sleep quality, high BMI, and poor self-reported health in adulthood.