Mental health and psychosocial challenges facing adolescent girls in conflict-affected settings : the case of the Gaza strip

Other Title(s)

تحديات الصحة النفسية و الاجتماعية التي تواجه الفتيات المراهقات في المناطق المتأثرة بالصراعات : حالة قطاع غزة

Joint Authors

Abu Hamad, Bassam
Jones, Nicola
Samuels, Fiona

Source

The Arab Journal of Psychiatry

Issue

Vol. 31, Issue 2 (30 Nov. 2020), pp.169-180, 12 p.

Publisher

The Arab Federation of Psychiatrists

Publication Date

2020-11-30

Country of Publication

Jordan

No. of Pages

12

Main Subjects

Psychology
Psychiatry

Abstract EN

Objective: This article focuses on linkages between adolescent girls’ psychosocial wellbeing and socio-cultural norms in conflict-affected contexts, with a focus on the Gaza Strip.

Methods: Drawing on qualitative research undertaken with adolescent girls, their caregivers and service providers following the 2014 Gaza-Israeli War, it explores adolescent experiences and psycho-emotional responses, and the extent to which their vulnerabilities were addressed by programing interventions.

Results: Our findings highlight that the conflict worsened adolescent girls’ multi-dimensional psychosocial vulnerabilities, among a population already suffering from a prolonged humanitarian crisis and limited available coping responses.

We argue that programs interventions tended to focus primarily on younger children, while largely overlooking adolescents and their specific age- and gender-related vulnerabilities.

Conclusion: These shortcomings must be addressed to better support adolescent girls’ psychosocial wellbeing and resilience, and that a stronger focus on adolescents’ evolving developmental needs - including the interplay of gendered social norms - urgently need to inform programing responses in conflict-affected contexts.

American Psychological Association (APA)

Abu Hamad, Bassam& Jones, Nicola& Samuels, Fiona. 2020. Mental health and psychosocial challenges facing adolescent girls in conflict-affected settings : the case of the Gaza strip. The Arab Journal of Psychiatry،Vol. 31, no. 2, pp.169-180.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1268299

Modern Language Association (MLA)

Abu Hamad, Bassam…[et al.]. Mental health and psychosocial challenges facing adolescent girls in conflict-affected settings : the case of the Gaza strip. The Arab Journal of Psychiatry Vol. 31, no. 2 (Nov. 2020), pp.169-180.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1268299

American Medical Association (AMA)

Abu Hamad, Bassam& Jones, Nicola& Samuels, Fiona. Mental health and psychosocial challenges facing adolescent girls in conflict-affected settings : the case of the Gaza strip. The Arab Journal of Psychiatry. 2020. Vol. 31, no. 2, pp.169-180.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1268299

Data Type

Journal Articles

Language

English

Notes

Includes bibliographical references : p. 178-180

Record ID

BIM-1268299