• A A Thabet, A N Ibraheem, R Shivram, E A Winter, and P Vostanis.
• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Al Quds University, School of Public Health, Gaza.
• Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2009 May 1;55(3):226-37.

BackgroundThe protective role of parenting factors on the mental well-being of children exposed to war trauma remains an under-researched area.AimTo establish the relationship between perceived positive parenting support and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children exposed to war trauma.MethodsA random sample of 412 children aged 12-16 years was selected from the Gaza Strip and was assessed using the Gaza Traumatic Events Checklist (GTEC), the SCID (DSM-IV) and the Perceived Parenting Support Scale (PPSS).ResultsPalestinian children were exposed to different types of war-traumatic events. The number of exposed traumatic events was independently associated with the severity of post-traumatic symptoms scores or the diagnosis of PTSD, while perceived parenting support was found to act as a protective factor in this association.ConclusionsInterventions in war zones need to ensure the minimal possible disruption to communities and family units, and to involve parents in preventive or treatment programmes for children exposed to trauma.

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