Cross-sectional study investigates PTSD and psychological distress in Palestinian undergraduates, suggesting urgent need for mental health support.
Key Points
This research aims to investigate the prevalence of PTSD, CPTSD, and psychological distress among Palestinian undergraduates during the conflict in Gaza.
Conducted a cross-sectional study with 819 undergraduate students from West Bank universities.
Utilized online surveys including the International Trauma Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire-12.
Analyzed data using non-parametric statistics and multinomial logistic regression.
87.2% of participants reported psychological distress.
51.9% met criteria for PTSD; 25.5% diagnosed with PTSD-only and 26.4% with complex PTSD.
38.6% showed disturbances in self-organization.
Crossing four or more military checkpoints significantly increased odds of PTSD and CPTSD.
90.4% used religious coping; only 2.6% had accessed mental health services.