Parent and Teacher Perceptions of Assessing Lebanese Children's Reaction to War-Related Stress: A Survey of Psychological and Behavioral Functioning

Abstract

This study explored the psychological and behavioral functioning of children from South Lebanon post July war 2006. The analysis aimed at investigating perceptions of parents and teachers on the effect of proximity to combat exposure and family loss on children's behavior. Parents (200) and teachers (200) rated two groups of children (9–12 year olds) using Burk's Behavior Rating Scales (Burk, 1977). Results indicated that both parents and teachers rated children exposed to combat higher than their counterparts. Overall, girls who experienced family loss scored higher than boys. Also, mothers rated children higher on behavioral disturbances, while teachers rated children higher on academic performance. These findings shed light on mother–child dyads. Suggestions for future investigations are discussed.

Keywords:

• stress disorder
• posttraumatic
• child and war
• behavioral study
• war
• family loss