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Seff I, Bennouna C, Gillespie A, Ali A, Allaf C, Wessells M, Stark L. Meaning-focused coping as a cultural process: A mixed quantitative and PhotoVoice study of adolescents with Arab backgrounds overcoming stigma and harassment. Soc Sci Med 2024; 350:116921. [PMID: 38723586 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Poor mental health among U.S. adolescents has reach epidemic proportions, with those from the Middle East and North African region exhibiting increased risk for distress and suicide ideation. This mixed-methods study analyzes quantitative data from first- and second-generation Arab adolescents (n = 171) and qualitative data from a participatory study conducted with 11 adolescents of the same population to understand the role of cultural resources in coping. Drawing on the Intersectional Theory of Cultural Repertoires in Health, we show that: 1) cultural resources underlie meaning-making throughout coping; 2) coping strategies are inseparable from the influence of peer and familial relationships, as dictated through the social norms and other cultural resources; 3) collectively held repertoires of coping can promote belonging, affirm identity, and protect against discrimination; and 4) the outcomes of coping strategies, and the culturally informed meaning individuals make of these outcomes, influence their future coping behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilana Seff
- Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis/Washington DC/Chicago, USA.
| | - Cyril Bennouna
- Brown University, Department of Political Science, Providence/Denver, USA.
| | - Alli Gillespie
- Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis/Washington DC/Chicago, USA.
| | - Ali Ali
- School of Social Work, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | | | - Michael Wessells
- Columbia University, Program on Forced Migration and Health, New York City, USA.
| | - Lindsay Stark
- Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis/Washington DC/Chicago, USA.
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Haidar A, Kalantzis M, Nallajerla M, Vela A, Adler SR, Burnett-Zeigler I. A Qualitative Examination of Perceptions of Mindfulness Among Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African Americans: Implications for Cultural Adaptation of Mindfulness-Based Interventions. GLOBAL ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND HEALTH 2024; 13:27536130241247074. [PMID: 38655072 PMCID: PMC11036918 DOI: 10.1177/27536130241247074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Background Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are well-positioned to address health disparities among racial-ethnic minority communities, given their focus on stress reduction and potential for greater accessibility and acceptability than conventional mental health treatments. Yet, there are currently no peer-reviewed studies of MBIs in an Arab, Middle Eastern, or North African (MENA) American sample. Addressing this gap in the literature is critical for advancing integrative health equity, given the high burden of stress and high prevalence of stress-related health conditions among Arab/MENA Americans. Objective The present study sought to explore perceptions of mindfulness among Arab/MENA Americans and identify potential cultural adaptations to MBIs for this population. Methods 4 focus groups were conducted with 26 Arab/MENA American adults who had participated in an introductory mindfulness workshop. Participants were asked about their experience learning mindfulness skills, the usefulness of mindfulness for problems they face, the alignment of mindfulness with their cultural values and practices, and suggestions for adapting mindfulness programs. Qualitative coding of focus group session transcriptions was conducted to identify themes in the data. Conclusion The participants in this study described experiencing high levels of stress and identified micro- and macro-level stressors related to their Arab/MENA American identity, including discrimination, exclusion, historical and intergenerational trauma, and protracted sociopolitical crises in their heritage countries. They viewed mindfulness as a potentially useful approach to coping with stress. At the same time, participants identified aspects of mindfulness that could be adjusted to better align with their cultural values and experiences. Potential adaptations to MBIs for Arab/MENA Americans were identified based on suggestions from participants and issues they raised while discussing cultural strengths, stressors they face, and perceived barriers and facilitators to engaging in mindfulness practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Haidar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Maria Kalantzis
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Meghana Nallajerla
- USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alyssa Vela
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shelley R. Adler
- UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Inger Burnett-Zeigler
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Veronese G, Mahamid F, Bdier D. Transgenerational trauma and collective resilience: A qualitative analysis of the experiences of settler-colonial violence among three generations of Palestinian refugees. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1814-1824. [PMID: 37283084 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231175787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palestinian people have endured collective dispossession and social suffering for 74 years from the so-called Al-Nakba (Palestinian catastrophe). AIMS The present exploratory work sought to analyze experiences of settler-colonial violence over three generations of Palestinian refugees. METHODS Forty-five participants (Mage = 44.45; range 13-85) were recruited via snowball sampling and interviewed to explore their understanding of transgenerational and collective trauma. Interviews were analyzed through thematic content analysis, resulting in four emerging themes distributed among the three generations. RESULTS The four themes encompassed (1) The impact of Al-Nakba, (2) Hardships, challenges, and quality of life, (3) Coping strategies, and (4) Dreams and hopes for the future. The results have been discussed using local idioms of distress and resilience. CONCLUSIONS The Palestinian experience of transgenerational trauma and resilience depicts a portrait of extreme trauma and endurance that cannot be reduced to the mere nosographic collection of Western-informed psychiatric symptoms. Instead, a human rights approach to Palestinian social suffering is most recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Veronese
- Department of Human Sciences and Education 'R.Massa', University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | - Fayez Mahamid
- Department of Human Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablous, State of Palestine
| | - Dana Bdier
- Department of Human Sciences and Education 'R.Massa', University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablous, State of Palestine
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Goldfield N. Community-Based Health Interventions Are Critical for Peace Building in the Worsening Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. J Ambul Care Manage 2023; 46:170-180. [PMID: 36745161 DOI: 10.1097/jac.0000000000000445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories (oPT) continue to expand and there is little communication between the 2 sides. Countries not directly engaged in the conflict are uninterested in a dignified solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This article argues that international organizations, donors, and third states should encourage the following peace-building approaches when considering health care initiatives in this conflict. The first is community oriented lay-led initiatives which should improve health outcomes, enhance the ability of Palestinians to develop resilience and promote peace-building between Israelis and Palestinians. Secondly, this strengthening can, in the absence of the impact of international advocacy for a dignified solution to this long-standing conflict, lead to locally driven peace-building while measurably improving health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Goldfield
- Executive Director, Healing Across the Divides, Hatfield, Massachusetts
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Supporting Youth and Families in Gaza: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Family-Based Intervention Program. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148337. [PMID: 35886189 PMCID: PMC9318896 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background: A total of 450 million children are now living in active conflict zones. The negative consequences for children are significant and long lasting. In response to the urgent need for sustainable interventions for children and families, the current study evaluated a brief (12 hr, 8 session) family-based coping and support program, Promoting Positive Family Futures (PPFF), in Gaza. Methods: Families (n = 68, mother/father/adolescent triads) were randomized into the PPFF intervention or another lengthier (50 hr, 25 session) locally well-established psychosocial support program (treatment as usual; TAU). Results: Improvements were found for both conditions for paternal and maternal depression, emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal, family-wide emotional security, and adolescent adjustment. Effect sizes were medium to large (d = 0.35–1.27). Fathers in the PPFF condition reported lower depression and higher emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal at post-test than did fathers in the TAU condition. Mothers in the PPFF condition reported higher levels of emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal at post-test than did mothers in the TAU condition. PPFF was also indirectly associated with improved depression at post-test for both mothers and fathers via improvements in emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal and with adolescent adjustment at six months via improvements in maternal emotion regulation using cognitive reappraisal. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the PPFF intervention has many benefits comparable with a longer and locally well-established program. PPFF was also associated with unique positive implications for family-wide adjustment over time. Support was also identified for transdiagnostic processes of improvement associated with the PPPF intervention consistent with the theoretical models informing the approach.
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Veronese G, Pepe A, Diab M, Abu Jamei Y, Kagee A. Social support, resilience, and mental health in a low-intensity warfare context: the effects of siege on university students in Gaza. J Ment Health 2021; 31:383-391. [PMID: 34607522 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2021.1979486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gaza has long been enduring a quasi-total siege that significantly undermines quality of life in the region. Gazan youth are particularly affected by the ongoing economic recession, a disrupted environment, and health and food insecurity. These critical circumstances are worsened by the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel, which is a cause of death and destruction. AIMS This cross-sectional study investigated the effects of living under protracted siege conditions on mental distress, resilience, and social support among a sample of Palestinian university students living on the Gaza Strip. METHODS Five hundred fifty Palestinian university students were recruited at four universities in Gaza. They completed a battery of instruments, including the Gaza Siege Checklist, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS), Resilience Scale (RS), and Berlin Social Support Scales (BSSS). We used structural equation modelling (SEM) to test a conceptual model of social support and resilience as protective factors against the impact on mental distress of living under siege. RESULTS Our findings indicate that living under siege has direct adverse effects, leading to increased mental distress in the form of anxiety, depression, and acute stress. Enduring siege conditions compromises resilience and sources of social support, thereby increasing subjects' risk of developing psychological distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Veronese
- Department of Human Sciences and Education, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Alessandro Pepe
- Department of Human Sciences and Education, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Marwan Diab
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,Gaza Community Mental Health Program, Gaza, Palestine
| | - Yasser Abu Jamei
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, Stellenbosch, South Africa.,Gaza Community Mental Health Program, Gaza, Palestine
| | - Ashraf Kagee
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Matieland, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Abstract
Identifying culturally-relevant concepts and coping mechanisms can help protect civilian wellbeing. This study explores how seven professional Palestinian university graduates in the Gaza Strip (occupied Palestinian territories) cope with war, military occupation, military blockade and the challenges of living in a conflict-affected area. Participants were interviewed to determine whether culturally specific modes of coping were used. Thematic analysis was applied. The use of resistance and more specifically sumud, 1 being steadfast and persevering, were identified alongside the motivation to persevere and other adaptive responses to living conditions. Coping strategies identified in this study include adapting, problem-solving, accepting reality, exercising patience, utilising social support, and faith in God (iman) and religion. The implications of this study and the relevance of the findings to mental health and disaster relief are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeyda Hammad
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
| | - Rachel Tribe
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, UK
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Hammad J, Tribe R. Social suffering and the psychological impact of structural violence and economic oppression in an ongoing conflict setting: The Gaza Strip. JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY 2020; 48:1791-1810. [PMID: 32399970 DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Structural violence and economic oppression (e.g. control over resources, politically engineered poverty and unemployment) are common features of warfare, yet there is a lack of research exploring the impact this has on civilian wellbeing in conflict-affected areas. This study, embedded within a human rights and community liberation psychology framework, aims to address this need by studying young Palestinian university graduates living under military blockade and occupation in the Gaza Strip. Semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis indicated that economic and political domains adversely affected multiple aspects of civilian life and wellbeing. The findings revealed the deleterious effects of structural violence and economic oppression which created: human insecurity; poor psychological wellbeing and quality of life; existential, psychological and social suffering; humiliation; injuries to dignity; multiple losses; and led to life being experienced as 'on hold'. Local expressions and idioms to express distress were identified. The findings contributed to unique insights regarding how continual, systemic, and structural oppression can be potentially more psychologically detrimental than specific incidents of conflict and violence. The implications and the relevance of the findings to mental health and disaster relief are considered. Interventions providing human security and economic security should be prioritised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeyda Hammad
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Tribe
- School of Psychology, University of East London, London, United Kingdom
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