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Diab M, Veronese G, Abu Jamei Y, Hamam R, Saleh S, Zeyada H, Kagee A. Psychosocial concerns in a context of prolonged political oppression: Gaza mental health providers' perceptions. Transcult Psychiatry 2023; 60:577-590. [PMID: 34986045 DOI: 10.1177/13634615211062968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In this qualitative exploratory study, we investigated the perspectives of mental health providers in Gaza, Palestine, regarding the primary concerns of their clients who are exposed to low-intensity warfare and structural violence. We conducted qualitative interviews with 30 psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and psychiatrists providing services to communities in Gaza. Participants were asked to discuss their clients' most commonly occurring mental health problems, diagnoses, and psychosocial conditions. Thematic analysis identified one superordinate theme (Impact of the Blockade on Mental Health and Quality of Life) and four second-order themes (Concerns about Social Problems, General Concerns about Quality of Life, Concerns about the Mental Health of the Community, and Concerns Related to Children's Mental Health). Participants indicated that the social and political dimensions of mental health and the economic, educational, and health-related consequences of the ongoing blockade of Gaza were the main determinants of psychological burden among their clients. Findings demonstrated the importance of adopting an approach to mental health that includes understanding psychological indicators in a broader framework informed by human rights and social justice. Implications for research and clinical work are discussed, including the role of investments in social capital that may provide individuals with access to resources such as social support, which may in turn promote overall mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan Diab
- Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
- Stellenbosch University
| | | | | | - Rawia Hamam
- Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
- Stellenbosch University
| | - Sally Saleh
- Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
- Stellenbosch University
| | - Hasan Zeyada
- Gaza Community Mental Health Programme
- Stellenbosch University
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Veronese G, Mahmid FA, Bdier D. Gender-Based Violence, Subjective Quality of Life, and Mental Health Outcomes Among Palestinian Women: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Agency. Violence Against Women 2023; 29:925-948. [PMID: 36042012 DOI: 10.1177/10778012221099988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We tested the association between gender-based violence (GBV), subjective quality of life, and mental distress manifested by anxiety, depression, and stress among Palestinian women exposed to political and military violence. Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, Berlin Social Support Scales, WHO-5 subjective Quality of Life Scale, Women's Agency Scale 61, and Violence Against Women Questionnaire were administered to 332 purposely selected participants. Structural equation modeling was applied to address the study hypothesis. A conceptual model depicting GBV as a predictor, mental distress as an outcome variable, and agency and social support as mediators was confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Veronese
- 189822University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Fayez Azez Mahmid
- 189822University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,61284An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Dana Bdier
- 189822University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy.,61284An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
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Fadhlia TN, Sauter DA, Doosje B. Adversity, emotion, and resilience among Syrian refugees in the Netherlands. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:257. [DOI: 10.1186/s40359-022-00963-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Syrian refugees comprise the vast majority of refugees in the Netherlands. Although some research has been carried out on factors promoting refugee resilience, there have been few empirical studies on the resilience of Syrian refugees.
Method
We used a qualitative method to understand adversity, emotion, and the factors contributing to resilience in Syrian refugees. We interviewed eighteen adult Syrian refugees residing in the Netherlands and used thematic analysis to identify the themes.
Results
We identified themes and organized them into three main parts describing the challenges (pre and post-resettlement), key emotions pertaining to those experiences, and resilience factors. We found six primary protective factors internally and externally promoting participants' resilience: future orientation, coping strategies, social support, opportunities, religiosity, and cultural identity. In addition, positive emotions constituted a key feature of refugees’ resilience.
Conclusion
The results highlight the challenges and emotions in each stage of the Syrian refugees’ journey and the multitude of factors affecting their resilience. Our findings on religiosity and maintaining cultural identity suggest that resilience can be enhanced on a cultural level. So it is worth noting these aspects when designing prevention or intervention programs for Syrian refugees.
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Jolof L, Rocca P, Mazaheri M, Okenwa Emegwa L, Carlsson T. Experiences of armed conflicts and forced migration among women from countries in the Middle East, Balkans, and Africa: a systematic review of qualitative studies. Confl Health 2022; 16:46. [PMID: 36071504 PMCID: PMC9450290 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-022-00481-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A significant proportion of the global population is displaced, many being women. Qualitative studies can generate in-depth findings that will contribute to an understanding of their experiences, but there is a need for further synthetization efforts. The aim was to provide a comprehensive perspective about adult women’s experiences of armed conflicts and forced migration, focusing on women in or from countries in the Middle East, Balkans, or Africa. Methods Systematic review of English reports presenting empirical qualitative studies published in scientific journals 1980 or later, utilizing searches performed in September 2021 within three databases combined with manual screening. Of the 3 800 records screened in total, 26 were included. Methodological details and quality were appraised using pre-specified extraction and appraisal tools. The findings within the included reports were analyzed with thematic analysis. Results Most reports utilized interviews, including in total 494 participants, and were appraised as having insignificant methodological limitations. The first theme concerns changed living conditions, involving reduced safety, insufficient access to resources meeting basic needs, forced migration as a last resort, and some positive effects. The second theme concerns the experienced health-related consequences, involving psychological distress, risks during pregnancy and childbirth, exposure to violence and discrimination as a woman, as well as a lack of adequate healthcare services and social support. The third theme concerns the resources and strategies that enhance resilience, involving social support and family life, as well as utilization of internal resources and strategies. Conclusion When experiencing armed conflicts and forced migration, women face significant challenges related to changed living conditions and are exposed to health-related consequences. Consistently, women are targets of severe structural and personal violence, while lacking access to even the most basic healthcare services. Despite facing considerable hardships, these women display extraordinary resilience and endurance by finding strength through social support and internal resources. Synthesized qualitative research illustrates that women value social support, including peer support, which is a promising intervention that needs to be evaluated in future experimental studies. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13031-022-00481-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Jolof
- The Red Cross Treatment Center for Persons Affected By War and Torture, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Patricia Rocca
- The Red Cross Treatment Center for Persons Affected By War and Torture, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Monir Mazaheri
- Department of Nursing Science, Sophiahemmet University, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Leah Okenwa Emegwa
- The Department of Health Sciences, The Swedish Red Cross University, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Tommy Carlsson
- The Department of Health Sciences, The Swedish Red Cross University, Huddinge, Sweden. .,The Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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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Severo PP, Furstenau LB, Sott MK, Cossul D, Bender MS, Bragazzi NL. Thirty Years of Human Rights Study in the Web of Science Database (1990-2020). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:2131. [PMID: 33671671 PMCID: PMC7926733 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The study of human rights (HR) is vital in order to enhance the development of human beings, but this field of study still needs to be better depicted and understood because violations of its core principles still frequently occur worldwide. In this study, our goal was to perform a bibliometric performance and network analysis (BPNA) to investigate the strategic themes, thematic evolution structure, and trends of HR found in the Web of Science (WoS) database from 1990 to June 2020. To do this, we included 25,542 articles in the SciMAT software for bibliometric analysis. The strategic diagram produced shows 23 themes, 12 of which are motor themes, the most important of which are discussed in this article. The thematic evolution structure presented the 21 most relevant themes of the 2011-2020 period. Our findings show that HR research is directly related to health issues, such as mental health, HIV, and reproductive health. We believe that the presented results and HR panorama presented have the potential to be used as a basis on which researchers in future works may enhance their decision making related to this field of study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Paola Severo
- Graduate Program in Law, University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul 96816-501, Brazil;
| | - Leonardo B. Furstenau
- Graduate Program of Industrial Systems and Processes, University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul 96816-501, Brazil;
| | - Michele Kremer Sott
- Graduate Program of Industrial Systems and Processes, University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul 96816-501, Brazil;
| | - Danielli Cossul
- Department of Psychology, University of Santa Cruz do Sul, Santa Cruz do Sul 96816-501, Brazil;
| | - Mariluza Sott Bender
- Multiprofessional Residency Program in Urgency and Emergency, Santa Cruz Hospital, Santa Cruz do Sul 96810-072, Brazil;
| | - Nicola Luigi Bragazzi
- Laboratory for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (LIAM), Department of Mathematics and Statistics, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
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Living under siege: resilience, hopelessness, and psychological distress among Palestinian students in the Gaza Strip. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2021; 8:e40. [PMID: 34703614 PMCID: PMC8518025 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2021.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moving from an approach oriented to adaptation and functioning, the current paper explored the network of cumulative associations between the effects of the siege and resilience on mental health. METHODS We sought to explore the impact of the siege on psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and stress) and the moderating effect of resilience and hopelessness in a sample of 550 Palestinian university students. We hypothesized that the siege effect would impact psychological distress so that the more people were affected by the siege, the more mental symptoms of common mental disorders they would report. We also expected that the siege would negatively impact both resilience and participants' hopelessness. RESULTS Findings showed that higher scores on the scale measuring effect of the siege were associated with hopelessness. Furthermore, living under siege compromised participants' resilience. The more the siege affected individuals, the lower resilience were protecting participants mental health and the more hopelessness was exposing them to anxiety, stress, and depression. CONCLUSION Our findings draw attention to how the ongoing violation of human rights influences people's mental health in Gaza. Implications for clinicians and policymakers are discussed.
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Sousa C, el-Zuhairi M, Siddiqi M. “The utmost strength I can bear”: Strategies and psychological costs of mothering within political violence. FEMINISM & PSYCHOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1177/0959353520912971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Though certainly not women's only site of identity or set of responsibilities in conflict settings, motherhood represents a distinct challenge within political violence. Yet, given the paucity of research on the topic, we still are operating without a clear understanding of how political violence jeopardizes maternal well-being and care-taking practices. Drawing on feminist perspectives on mothering, in the analyses presented here, the authors use content analysis to explore mothering and political violence from five focus groups with women in Palestine. Results demonstrate the considerable suffering mothers and children endure in war; the work mothers do to promote children’s well-being in this context; and how these efforts exhaust the psychological resources of mothers. Findings enhance a relatively small body of knowledge about the lived experiences of mothers within conflict settings, and point to the importance of tending to the strategies and needs of mothers who navigate political violence with and for their children.
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