Prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress symptoms among war-displaced Palestinian children and adolescents: pioneering cross-sectional study from Qatar.

AIMS AND METHOD: Prolonged armed conflict profoundly impacts children’s mental health. This study investigated elevated rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among displaced Palestinian youth residing in Qatar. A cross-sectional study included 350 Palestinian children and adolescents aged 8–18 years displaced from Gaza. The Child PTSD Symptom Scale – Self-Report Version for DSM-5 (CPSS-5) and a Demographic and Resilience Questionnaire were used. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression identified factors associated with PTSD symptoms.

RESULTS

It was found that 54.9% of participants met the threshold for probable PTSD (CPSS-5 score ≥31). Intrusion and arousal symptoms had the highest average severity scores. Factors associated with higher PTSD severity included formal education, physical injury during the war and witnessing death, particularly that of close relatives.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings emphasise the urgent need for accessible, culturally appropriate and sustained mental health interventions. Longitudinal research is needed to understand long-term trajectories and inform comprehensive support systems.