Israeli Children's Responses to the Stress of the Gulf War

Abstract

This preliminary study attempted to examine responses of Israeli children to the Gulf War one year later. It involved 431 eighth and twelfth grade students from two areas of high risk that were bombarded by missiles. The students were administered four selfreport questionnaires related to their current (one year after the war) general concerns, current stress responses attributed to the war and State-Trait anxiety. No war-related symptoms were noted, except sensitivity to loud noises (reported by about 22 percent of the respondents). The results indicated a noted difference on the various measures as a function of gender, age and proximity. Theoretical and practical implications for community-wide intervention approach are discussed.