Psychiatry and Psychiatric Disorders

Biography

Biography: Wala Maaitah

Abstract

The social and psychological processes involved in sustaining the well-being of social groups suffering the consequences of intractable conflicts are faraway from being completely understood. Intractable conflicts are principally arduous to resolve as they are anchored in intransigent and inflexible sociopsychological dynamics which define the mindset of social groups involved and debilitate their well-being simultaneously (Bar-Tal, 2007). The rejection identification model proposed by Branscombe et al.(1999) puts forward that out-group pervasive rejection and continued discrimination impairs in-group's well-being. Yet, in-group's positive self-esteem is preserved through the positive counteractive effect of in-group identification. That is to say, activation of group identity increases a sense of inclusion and belongingness to in-group, and serves as a substantial protective coping resource and a successful behavioral basis that buffers the negative effects of out-group rejection (Ramos et al, 2011). In our present study we examined how frequent exposure to Israeli political violence influences adult Palestinian students' social identification and well-being. A self-reporting questionnaire was developed and distributed to 260 students at Palestinian Universities in the West Bank, under vehement political conditions and amidst stringent resistance to participation on the behalf of students. Preliminary analysis shows a positive correlation between frequency of exposure (FEPV) to Israeli political violence and psychological distress, likewise, a positive correlation between FEPV and social identification. Social identification has shown to actually mediate the relationship between FEPV and well-being, however, not significantly. Thus, coping functions of group identity may have been depleted in the case of Palestinians, a phenomenon worth further scrutiny.