Living in a war-torn region like Gaza is a reality for many children, where the sound of shelling and drones is an everyday occurrence. Witnessing the destruction of their neighborhoods and experiencing extreme violence towards loved ones has become a generational trauma for the young population of Gaza.
With nearly 65% of the population in Gaza under the age of 25, the impact of the ongoing humanitarian crisis on the mental health of children and young people is profound.
A recent study revealed that a staggering 88% of Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip have experienced personal trauma, with a high percentage diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This prevalence of PTSD is significantly higher than in peace-time populations, emphasizing the urgent need for mental health interventions.
The majority of Gaza’s population are children and young people, with 65% of the population under 25 years old.
Scoping Review on War-Related Trauma in Gaza
In a comprehensive scoping review conducted by Abudayya et al. (2023), the consequences of war-related trauma reactions among young people in Gaza were examined. This review aimed to shed light on the mental health challenges faced by the youth in this conflict-ridden region.
Research Methodology
The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searched eight databases for literature published between 2011 and 2022. The review focused on peer-reviewed journal articles that addressed the mental health of Palestinian youth in Gaza. Out of 4,812 papers, 74 were eligible for full-text screening.
Findings
The scoping review identified 24 studies that reported on war-related trauma stress among Palestinian children and young people in Gaza. These studies highlighted the prevalence of poor mental health outcomes, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, among the youth in Gaza due to their exposure to political violence and traumatic war experiences.
