Human (in)security and psychological well-being in Palestinian children living amidst military violence: A qualitative participatory research using interactive maps.
Guido Veronese, Federica Cavazzoni, Alec Fiorini and 2 others
PMID 34627134WHAT IT FOUND
Palestinian children identified schools, homes, and family as sources of security, but military presence and community violence turned these into places of fear.
Children reported that ongoing structural violence, not just isolated trauma, drove their psychological distress and sense of insecurity.
Key findings
01Schools and homes were perceived as safe spaces for socialization and protection, but military incursions and peer or teacher violence transformed these into sites of insecurity and fear.
02Children described psychological distress as stemming from chronic, ongoing exposure to military occupation and structural violence, rather than a single traumatic event with a clear beginning and end.
03National identity, religious practices, and community participation served as protective factors that fostered feelings of safety, self-esteem, and agency despite the hostile environment.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they found
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What it does not show
The study used convenience sampling, which may not represent the broader population of Palestinian children. Only 40% of the children who drew maps participated in the follow-up walk-around interviews, potentially limiting the depth of data for the majority. The research team was Western-trained, which may have influenced the interpretation of indigenous children's narratives and experiences. Data collection was short-term, which may have restricted the richness of the participants' reflective perspectives.
Declared interests
The paper is supported by non-U.S. government funding. No specific conflicts of interest regarding commercial sponsors or personal financial interests are declared in the provided text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence for the efficacy of any specific therapeutic intervention. This study describes children's perceptions and experiences of insecurity and does not test treatments or outcomes.