Gender Differences in Depression Among the Affectees of War on Terrorism and the Role of Psychological Interventions in the Rehabilitation

Summiya Ahmad, Hayat Mohammad, Shakeel Ahmed & Imran Ahmad Sajid

Abstract
The present study was carried out to investigate the psychological effects of war and
terrorism and the role of psychological interventions in the rehabilitation of affectees. The
sample included two hundred participants (N=200) from two districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa i.e. Swat and Buner using convenient sampling technique. It was further divided into two subgroups, males (n=100) and females (n=100). Pre and post test design was used for the study because it was carried out in two phases. Demographic Information Sheet and Geriatric Depression Scale (GPS) (Yesavage 1983) were administered for the assessment. It was hypothesized that the Victims of war and terrorism will score high on Depression Scale, and the prevalence of depression will be high among females as compared to males. It was also assumed that males will show decrease in symptoms of depression faster, than females after receiving psychological interventions. The results supported the hypotheses. Results of the research explored (p<0.05) that people who are the direct victim and those who are eyewitness of the traumatic event suffered from serious psychological problem i.e. depression. In the second phase of study, results indicated that psychological interventions play a pivotal role in the rehabilitation of affectees.

Keywords: Gender Difference, Depression, Terrorism, Psychological Intervention, Pakistan,
Rehabilitation.