Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Its Relationship to Psychological Security Among Members of Families Whose Homes Were Destroyed Jerusalem City

Abstract

This study aims to identify the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological security among individuals from families whose homes were demolished in Jerusalem. To achieve this, a correlational descriptive approach was used. The PTSD scale and psychological security scale were distributed to a convenient sample of 155 individuals from families whose homes were demolished in Jerusalem. The results showed that the level of PTSD was 3.65, with a percentage of 73.0%, which is considered a moderate level. The "affective symptoms" domain ranked first with a mean score of 3.76 (75.2%), categorized as high, while the "behavioral symptoms" domain ranked last with a mean of 3.51 (70.2%), categorized as moderate. The results also indicated that the level of psychological security was 3.41, with a percentage of 68.2%, also at a moderate level. The "self-worth dimension" ranked first with a mean score of 3.56 (71.2%), categorized as moderate, while the "emotional-psychological dimension" ranked last with a mean of 3.33 (66.6%), categorized as moderate. The findings also revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in the average levels of PTSD and psychological security among individuals from families whose homes were demolished in Jerusalem based on variables such as gender, education level, marital status, or family size. Additionally, there was a statistically significant relationship between PTSD and psychological security among these individuals, with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r = -0.28). The study recommends developing psychological counselling programs within universities, schools, and community centres to incorporate techniques addressing disorders, including PTSD. These programs would help reduce PTSD and minimize its impact on individuals' psychological security. Furthermore, comparative studies should be conducted between the same group in the northern Palestinian governorates to assess the PTSD prevalence.