Psychological Impact and Among Nursing Students in the West Bank after the October Gaza War

Background: The October 2023 Gaza War's psychological impact extended beyond its epicenter, affecting populations throughout the region. Nursing students, facing dual pressures of academic training and exposure to collective trauma, represent a vulnerable yet understudied group in the West Bank. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of PTSD-related symptoms among nursing students in the West Bank following the October Gaza War and to explore variations across demographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 195 nursing students from universities across the West Bank. Participants completed a structured questionnaire collecting demographic data and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to measure symptoms of intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and ANOVA. Results: The sample was predominantly female (71.3%), single (89.2%), with a mean age of 21 years. Participants reported moderate to high levels of psychological impact. Intrusion symptoms were prominent (e.g., "Any reminder brought back feelings," Mean=2.21), alongside significant avoidance behaviors (e.g., "I tried not to think about it," Mean=1.94). Hyperarousal symptoms, particularly irritability (Mean=2.07) and difficulty concentrating (Mean=1.95), were also elevated. No statistically significant differences in total IES-R scores were found across gender, academic year, place of residence, or marital status (all p > .05). Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant and pervasive psychological impact on nursing students, highlighting a urgent need for institutional mental health support, trauma-informed educational strategies, and accessible counseling services to safeguard the well-being of the future healthcare workforce in Palestine.