Trauma, displacement, and sleep disturbances among Palestinian displaced women and children in the Gaza Strip

Purpose This study aims to explore the effect of ongoing traumatic experiences and displacement on sleep disturbance in war-affected populations, focusing on displaced women and children in Gaza during the genocide. Design/methodology/approach The study used semi-structured interviews with 30 Palestinian refugee women in the city of Rafah, who were recruited through purposive snowball sampling. Findings The study highlights how the ongoing hyperarousal caused by war–trauma-disrupted sleep, worsening post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Displacement introduces additional stress, making recovery even more difficult. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to examine the effects of war-related trauma and displacement experiences on sleep disturbances among Gaza-displaced women and children. The study emphasizes the necessity for mental health and health-care interventions to address the challenging conditions and prolonged trauma within the Palestinian context.