Family quality of life and child psychological well-being in Palestine: A pilot case study

Abstract

Bringing to bear an ecological perspective on functioning and well-being, the present work investigated the relationship between impact of trauma in children living in war-like conditions and their parents' quality of life (QoL). Seventy-four schoolaged children completed self-report measures assessing their personal life satisfaction and perceptions of parental support. Fifty-three parents completed self-report measures assessing their own quality of life.Findings: Although these Palestinian children presented a moderate degree of traumatization, they nonetheless continued to display considerable resources and functioning factors in terms of satisfaction with their families, school and environment. However, 'social suffering' on the part of families, which impacts on economic, social, political, and cultural aspects of health and well-being, may undermine the resources that children can draw on in adjusting to trauma.Applications: Clinical and social work interventions should be targeted at strengthening aspects of positive functioning, rather than at 'correcting' symptoms protecting Palestinian social capital, in terms of cohesion at the levels of clan, family and community networks.

Posttraumatic growth is related to subjective well-being of aid workers exposed to cumulative trauma in Palestine

“…With regard to the outcomes of being exposed to traumatic events, the data confirmed the moderate levels of traumatization in helpers already identified in previous studies with different samples of health professionals working in Palestinian refugee camps (Veronese, Fiore, Castiglioni, & Natour, 2014; Veronese & Pepe, 2013, 2014).…”

“…We found that levels of trauma were directly and negatively correlated to subjective well-being (H1). The more Palestinian practitioners are exposed to violent trauma, the more their psychological well-being is at risk of being undermined (Karamouzian & Carmichael, 2014; Veronese et al., 2014). This finding is confirmed by previous studies documenting the extreme sense of insecurity and threat that Palestinian helpers have to cope with, due to the ongoing military occupation and its consequences for the health system in the OPT (Giacaman et al., 2009; Veronese, 2013; Veronese et al., 2016).…”

“…However, despite the heavy psychological burden, a growing body of literature shows that positive personal change after traumatic exposure is possible for this group (Baum & Ramon, 2010; Paton, 2005). A recent study by Veronese and Pepe (2014) in the occupied Palestinian territories shows that aid workers often demonstrate high levels of sense of coherence and psychological resources when it comes to their ability to attribute meaning to and psychologically manage the traumatic events experienced. Similarly, Britt, Adler, and Bartone (2001) in a study on emergency professions reported that finding meaning in one’s work is a key prerequisite for benefitting from potentially traumatic experiences.…”

Comparing Emotion Recognition Skills among Children with and without Jailed Parents

“…Despite several studies linking parental incarceration to adverse outcomes, children with incarcerated parents have also been shown to be resilient in the face of adversity. Extended family support of children with incarcerated parents has been associated with positive developmental and psychological outcomes ( Miller, 2007 ), just as a supportive family environment is associated with resilience in other populations facing adversity (e.g., Masten, 2011 ; Veronese and Castiglioni, 2013 ; Veronese et al, 2014 ). In addition, children with incarcerated parents who have positive relationships with their caregivers and incarcerated parents may have better behavioral outcomes ( Dallaire, 2007 ).…”

Quality of Life and Determinants of Parents’ School Satisfaction in War Contexts

“…When families affected by armed conflict are asked to speak about their quality of life (QoL), education is mainly referred to as a key dimension affecting the well-being of the younger generations (Bragin & Opiro, 2012;Veronese, Castiglioni, Barola, & Said, 2012;Veronese, Castiglioni, Tombolani, & Said, 2012;Veronese & Castiglioni, 2013;Veronese, Fiore, Castiglioni, & Natour, 2014). In fact, the community frequently views education as a means of providing hope and a better future for the youth.…”