Al-Janai, Mona Bader H.; (2001) Psychological impact of the Iraqi occupation on Kuwaiti mothers and their children: Interpretation of children's behavioural problems in the light of their mothers' stress and psychological disorders. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The current study investigated the psychological impacts of the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait on Kuwaiti mothers and their children. The study was carried out on a random sample of 151 mothers and 151 children. Tools used for the mothers' data collection were General Information and Stress questionnaire, SCL-90-R, PTSD and TABS, and for children Rutter A2, Rutter B, and CBI scales. Results indicated that mothers who gave birth in the peace or occupation periods were found to have significantly higher stress level than those who gave birth after the occupation. With respect to mothers' psychological disorders, it was found that 57% had PTSD (current or life time), while 18.5% had severe symptoms (SCL-90-R) and 51% had a change in their attitudes and beliefs. Some of the children's behavioural disorders are related to their mothers' stressful experiences and psychological suffering. Neurotic, anti-social and problematic undifferentiated behaviour is evident in children born during the occupation and liberation periods to mothers with high level of stress and psychological disorders according to PTSD, SCL-90-R and TABS scales. Children born during the occupation to mothers with high level of stress had significantly higher mean scores on items of emotional, conduct and undifferentiated behavioural disorders. Children's depression, hostility and anxiety levels are significantly related to mothers' PTSD and severe symptoms. Children born during the peace period to mothers with PTSD showed significantly higher mean scores than those children born during the same period to mothers without PTSD. Children born during the peace and occupation periods to mothers with severe psychological symptoms (SCL-90-R), had a significantly higher mean score in comparison to children born during the same period to mothers without symptoms. Despite the fact that the study showed that there is a significant relationship between some of the children's behavioural problems and their mothers' psychological disorders, this relationship was not inevitable, and this result should be pursued in further studies.

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