Intergenerational Trauma in the Occupied Palestinian Territories: Effect on Children and Promotion of Healing

Abstract

The current exploratory qualitative study sought to investigate novice therapist experience of implementing a phased trauma recovery approach, the Fairy Tale Model (FTM), in secure accommodation in Scotland. Participants were ten therapists trained and supervised in FTM over a 6 month period. Therapists delivered FTM to 37 youth. Individual interviews with therapists were based on the objectives of FTM, and explored the benefits, challenges and facilitating factors for both youth and therapists. Perceived benefits for therapists included increases in trauma-informed knowledge, skills, and confidence. Youth were perceived by therapists, to be less emotionally dysregulated and more motivated, hopeful, and communicative. Challenges for therapists involved the complexity of youth difficulties, competing work demands, difficulties unlearning established approaches, and short duration placements. Prioritizing therapy, intensive sessions, and frequent communication with care staff were seen as facilitating factors. Recommendations are made for FTM delivery and more robust mixed methods evaluative research including therapist, youth and other stakeholder perspectives.

Emotional and Cognitive Responses of Children Attending Summer Camps in Occupied Palestine: A Pilot Study

“…Some communities, for example, are more fundamentally religious than others which in turn impacts on children's self-expression and potentially children's capacity for healing [4]. In the current study children in such areas tended to display higher symptom levels.…”

“…A wide range of resultant developmental trauma symptoms have been identified including post-traumatic stress, traumatic grief, depression and school under achievement [2]; dissociation and self-harm and drug misuse [3]. In contrast to the high incidence of military/domestic violence and resultant symptoms, services to support children in the occupied Palestinian territories are scarce [4]. Further, given the stressed economic context, the likelihood of the development of anything but small-scale therapeutic services seems unlikely.…”

“…A range of activities can be delivered including play, cultural activities, sports, community service, education, and environmental awareness [6]. The settings in which camps operate also vary with regard to the different types and levels of violence experienced by communities [4]. Despite these differences, both non-NCSC and NCSC summer camps have similar aims for children, i.e.…”

Social and Political Context of Summer Camps in Occupied Palestine: A Brief Commentary

“…The combination of the separation wall, checkpoints and military violence means that Palestinians in the oPT live in constant fear and anxiety for their own and others' wellbeing [6]. There is a general, negative psychological feeling reported around the oPT with Palestinians reportedly feeling hopelessness, anger, bereavement and helplessness [7].…”

“…For example, one study found that children in the West Bank had, on average, experienced eleven different types of war events, such as being detained, physical assault by Israeli military and/or witnessing the death of a family member, [11]. Thus, both intergenerational trauma and developmental trauma have been identified among the Palestinian population in the oPT, with children in particular experiencing symptoms including complicated grief, school under achievement and depression [6], problem behaviours and suicidal intentions [12], and self-harm, substance misuse and dissociation [13]. Trauma in childhood is also related to difficulties in developmental domains such as delays in developmental skills, difficulties in cognitive functioning, and emotional and behavioural symptoms.…”