In the throes of the 2023 Gaza War, the psychological landscape of Palestinian youth has been irrevocably altered, with Al-Quds University students standing as a poignant example of the war’s deep mental scars. A groundbreaking study published in BMC Psychiatry delves meticulously into the prevalence and intensity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among these students, illuminating the intricate interplay between conflict exposure and mental health outcomes. This cross-sectional investigation, representing one of the most comprehensive assessments in the region, underscores the critical need to understand how war-induced trauma manifests in youthful academic populations.
The research adopts the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), a psychometric instrument with robust validation for PTSD symptomatology assessment, to quantify the psychological toll exacted upon students. By deploying a bilingual questionnaire disseminated online, the study ensured accessibility and inclusivity across a linguistically diverse student body. The methodical statistical approach, incorporating chi-square analyses, t-tests, and ANOVA, enabled the researchers to unravel nuanced associations between PTSD symptoms and multifaceted demographic variables such as gender, living situation, and academic fields of study, as well as psychological factors related to perceived academic disruption and emotional responses.
Among the study’s revelatory findings is the alarmingly high prevalence of severe PTSD symptoms, reported by over 70% of participants. This figure alone signals a mental health crisis within this academic community, compounded by the complexities of living through an active conflict that permeates daily existence. Further stratification identified 14.7% of respondents as probable PTSD cases and 10.7% bearing clinical concern levels, highlighting a significant subset of students whose functioning could be profoundly impaired without targeted intervention.
Intriguingly, the data reveals a gender disparity in PTSD severity, with male students exhibiting markedly higher mean PTSD scores compared to their female counterparts. Such findings provoke critical questions about gender-specific vulnerability, coping mechanisms, and societal expectations that may shape the mental health outcomes of young men and women in conflict zones differently. The statistical significance of this gender gap demands further exploration, potentially guiding gender-responsive mental health interventions in future policies.
Living arrangements emerged as another significant determinant, with students residing in university housing reporting PTSD symptom scores substantially higher than those living with their families. This suggests that social support networks and the physical safety afforded by familial homes might offer some buffering effects against the psychological disturbances caused by war trauma. Conversely, the relative isolation or communal stresses of student housing may exacerbate the mental health burden, underscoring the importance of environmental context in trauma exposure.
The study also probes the less tangible but equally impactful psychological factors impacting the students’ mental health. Experiences of perceived academic disruption—the sense that the war has deeply interfered with educational progress—correlate strongly with heightened PTSD severity. This reflects the intricate relationship between academic identity, future aspirations, and psychological resilience. Feelings of guilt during moments of positive events emerged as a statistically significant correlate, introducing a complex emotional dimension where joy and achievement are overshadowed by collective trauma, a phenomenon warranting further clinical scrutiny.
Beyond statistical associations, the implications of these findings form a clarion call for trauma-informed mental health interventions specifically tailored to populations enduring protracted conflict. Existing mental health services often lack the cultural sensitivity and conflict-contextual appropriateness to address the unique needs of students caught in such turbulent environments. This study highlights the urgency for systemic change—developing support mechanisms that acknowledge and integrate the socio-political realities shaping students’ lived experiences.
From a psychological science perspective, the research enriches the global understanding of PTSD dynamics in youth demographics exposed to war, reinforcing that trauma is not solely a clinical construct but a sociologically embedded reality. The utilization of the IES-R provides a standardized measure, yet the highlighting of psychosocial factors invites more holistic frameworks that encompass the full spectrum of wartime mental health repercussions.
The usage of advanced statistical tools, notably SPSS version 20.0, exemplifies the study’s robust analytic rigor. This lends credibility to the findings and establishes a replicable methodology for future research within similar contexts or different populations subjected to comparable trauma. As conflict zones worldwide continue to disrupt lives, such methodological reliability is essential to comparative analyses and policy formulation.
Ethically, conducting research in active conflict scenarios presents particular challenges, including ensuring informed consent, safeguarding participant confidentiality, and minimizing re-traumatization risks. This study’s bilingual and online questionnaire format appears to navigate these challenges by enhancing accessibility while maintaining participant autonomy and confidentiality. These methodological choices may serve as best practices for similar future studies aiming to balance scientific rigor with ethical responsibility in fragile contexts.
Moreover, the results underscore a broader societal issue—how protracted conflict cycles erode future generations’ mental health fabric, potentially impairing educational attainment, social cohesion, and long-term community resilience. The targeted population, university students, represents an essential societal segment, poised to contribute to nation-building and social recovery. Their psychological well-being is thus integrally linked to the region’s broader prospects for peace and development.
The study’s conclusive call to action for trauma-informed interventions is not merely clinical advice but a strategic imperative that aligns mental health support with educational continuity and social stability. Addressing systemic stressors requires multi-layered approaches involving governments, educational institutions, mental health professionals, and international aid organizations collaborating to create safe, supportive environments for students.
As mental health increasingly garners global attention, particularly in areas afflicted by conflict, this research from Al-Quds University stands as a pivotal reference. It combines empirical rigor with humanitarian urgency, painting an intricate portrait of how war’s invisible wounds manifest within young minds. The study’s contribution extends beyond its immediate context, offering a vital blueprint for similar assessments worldwide, ultimately aiming to transform trauma knowledge into actionable mental health strategies.
In sum, the 2023 Gaza war’s psychological impact on Al-Quds University students presents a microcosm of conflict’s enduring mental health consequences on youth populations. Through quantitative assessment and qualitative insight, this study charts a compelling narrative that blends statistical evidence with human experience. Its lessons resonate loudly, advocating for immediate and sustained engagement to alleviate suffering and foster resilience amid adversity.
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Subject of Research: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) prevalence and psychological impacts among university students exposed to conflict trauma during the 2023 Gaza war.
Article Title: Post-traumatic stress disorder among Al-Quds University students during the 2023 Gaza war: a cross-sectional study
Article References:
Amro, A., Amro, A.M., Amro, R. et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder among Al-Quds University students during the 2023 Gaza war: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 25, 343 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06781-9
Image Credits: AI Generated
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06781-9
