The Psychological Outcomes of Direct and Indirect Exposure to Trauma: The Lebanese Experience

Studies have consistently highlighted a high prevalence of mental health difficulties following exposure to trauma. These symptoms can become even more prevalent if one experiences several traumatic events. This study is the first to explore the interaction effect of age and gender on the prevalence of psychological outcomes, including anxiety, depression, stress, and PTSD, investigating whether the impact of age on psychological health is different across genders. Our sample included 546 Lebanese adults who were exposed to both the 2020 Beirut Port explosion and the 2023 earthquakes. Participants completed the PCL-5, the DASS-21, and a series of demographic questions. Results showed that, in the context of direct exposure, the findings for male and female participants indicate that older age is associated with lower mental health symptomatology. Analyzing indirect exposure, age was not significantly correlated with psychological outcomes for males; however, significant negative relationships were observed for all outcomes for females. Findings are discussed from a cultural perspective, emphasizing recommendations for interventions targeting people affected by traumatic events, namely the importance of focusing on the young generation, namely females, who scored the highest on psychological difficulties following indirect exposure to trauma.