Post-traumatic stress disorder among Al-Quds University students during the 2023 Gaza war: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: The 2023 Gaza War has had profound psychological impacts on Palestinian students, particularly those at Al-Quds University. Students at Al-Quds University face significant mental health challenges due to exposure to conflict-related trauma, which is exacerbated by direct and indirect stressors, including displacement and the influence of social media. This study aims to assess the prevalence of PTSD among Al-Quds University students and investigate its associations with demographic, psychological, and academic factors, specifically gender, living arrangements, academic specialization, and geographic origin. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study assessed PTSD prevalence among students at Al-Quds University using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), a validated tool for PTSD assessment in this context. A bilingual (Arabic and English) self-administered questionnaire was distributed online. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and ANOVA, were conducted using SPSS version 20.0 to examine associations between PTSD symptoms and demographic or psychological factors. Results: High PTSD symptom severity was reported in 71.3% of participants, with 14.7% identified as probable cases and 10.7% with clinical concerns. Gender differences were evident, as males showed higher mean PTSD scores than females (49.39 vs. 43.22, p < 0.001). Students in student housing exhibited significantly higher PTSD scores than those living with family (49.37 vs. 42.16, p < 0.001). Psychological factors, such as perceived academic disruption and guilt during positive events, were significantly associated with PTSD severity (p = 0.037, p = 0.005). Conclusion: The findings emphasize the urgent need for trauma-informed mental health interventions tailored to students in conflict zones. Addressing systemic stressors and providing targeted support can mitigate the psychological burden in these vulnerable populations. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.