The impact of high and low stress on the health of Lebanese
Author: Farhood LF.
Source:
Research and Theory for Nursing Practice, 18(2/3), 197.
During the Lebanese war (1975-1991) families were subjected to a substantial
number of war and nonwar life events that were shown to have a negative impact on
family adaptation. The study was undertaken to classify and predict family
adaptation outcomes in high and low perceived stress groups for war and nonwar
life events. The study took the form of an analysis of cross-sectional data of
families in Beirut. The cluster sample consisted of 438 families chosen at
random. Variables included perceived stress for war and nonwar events, and health
and interactional indicators of the outcome family adaptation assessed in terms
of physical and psychological health, depression, and interpersonal and marital
relationships. Families were classified into high/low stress based on their score
for war and non-war life events. Based on discriminant function analysis, a
significant difference existed between the high- and low-stress groups (for war,
nonwar, and a combination of the two) on all predictor variables. Interpersonal
relationships, physical health, and depression were the best predictors of
membership in the high/low war stress groups. In the perceived nonwar stress
groups, depression, interpersonal relationships, marital relations, and physical
and psychological health were the best predictors separating high/low stress
groups. When the combination score of war and nonwar stress was used,
interpersonal relationships, physical health, depression, and marital relations
were the best predictors distinguishing among the groups. Findings indicated a
high degree of consistency in the prediction and classification of the high/low
stress groups and for all stress categories. Families in the low-stress groups
had a more positive adaptation than those in the high-stress groups and could be
classified on the basis of their stress score. Families in the high-stress groups
had more complaints than their counterparts in the low-stress groups. This
classification may help mental health professionals understand how families adapt
in response to normative and non-normative life situations.