Stress responses and adaptation of israeli school-age children evacuated from homes during massive missile attacks

Abstract

This field study was aimed at shedding light on the magnitude of children's specific trauma related responses in the context of ongoing massive missile attacks that took place along Israel's northern border resulting in their forced evacuation. During the second week of the 17-day massive attacks, the respondents, 604 adolescents from grades 7 to 11, completed a three-part questionnaire assessing (a) post-traumatic stress disorder-related symptoms, (b) general stress responses, and (c) help-seeking/support received. They also completed the Self-control Schedule (Rosenbaum, 1980). Only 6.3% of the respondents met all three PTSD related symptom criteria. An additional 51.2% met some of the PTSD-related criteria. Despite the underlying general stress response of crisis, vulnerability, and physical symptoms, sense of coping appeared dominant; these students adjusted well, under the circumstances. Although the respondents were separated from their parents at the time of the crisis, parents emerged as the most approached and most valued source of support, followed by friends. Self-control was found to be associated with higher intensity of stress response.