The War Experience of Lebanese Adolescents: July 2006

Abstract

Lebanon has been experiencing conflicts (internal and external) since 1960, and Lebanese from all regions have been affected by them through either exposure to shelling or combat, displacement, bereavement, emigration, separation from parents, or being a witness or even a victim of violent acts (Macksoud & Aber, 1996). This research investigates the war experience of 549 Lebanese adolescents from 4 main regions in Lebanon (i.e., Beirut, southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and northern Lebanon) after the war in 2006. It looks at 10 main experiences that are spread over 3 subscales labeled active involvement, passive involvement, and loss. Results have shown that shelling and combat were mostly experienced by adolescents from the Bekaa Valley, and deprivation was experienced equally by adolescents from southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley. Furthermore, involvement in combat and injuries were only significantly associated with religious affiliation. This being said, region had a significant effect on all types of war traumas except emigration. Further research examining specific psychological factors needs to be conducted to gain a better understanding of these war experiences and their impacts.

KEYWORDS:

• adolescents
• Lebanon
• war experience

Notes

¹ Hezbollah is a Shi’a Islamist political and paramilitary organization based in Lebanon. Hezbollah has developed into a major social service structure that operates schools and hospitals, provides agricultural services for thousands of Lebanese Shiites, and has had a significant role in Lebanese politics. It is regarded as a resistance movement not only in Lebanon, but throughout much of the Arab and Muslim world.