Trauma and sleep disruption in Gaza : a qualitative content analysis of war-related effects

Background

The escalation of violence and oppression in Gaza, particularly following Hamas’ military attack on Israeli settlements in the Gaza envelope on October 7, 2023, has intensified trauma and related disorders, especially sleep disturbances, exacerbating the already dire conditions of dispossession and exploitation faced by Palestinians.

Aims

The present exploratory research sought to explore the impact of war-related trauma following the recent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip on sleep disturbance among Gazans.

Methods

Thirty participants 14 females and 16 males, aged between 18 and 58 years (mean age for males = 31.43 years, SD = 11.12; mean age for females = 31.23 years, SD = 10.13) were recruited via snowball sampling. Interviews were analyzed through thematic content analysis.

Results

Thematic content analysis of the interview transcripts led to the identification of five main themes. (1), sleepless nights amid constant fear (2), children’s sleep shattered by trauma. (3), the impact of overcrowded shelters on sleep. (4), mothers as guardians of sleepless nights. (5), health consequences of chronic sleep deprivation. The findings highlight the negative impact of war-related trauma on the sleep of Gazans, leading to various disturbances such as nightmares, particularly among children.

Conclusions

Our findings illuminate the pervasive impact of war-related trauma on the sleep patterns of Gazan refugees. This study highlights the critical importance of integrating psychological support and targeted interventions into community health initiatives, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children. Future research should focus on developing culturally sensitive interventions to mitigate the adverse effects of trauma on sleep and overall well-being in conflict-affected population.