Social suffering and the psychological impact of structural violence and economic oppression in an ongoing conflict setting: The Gaza Strip
Article
Hammad, J. and Tribe, R. 2020. Social suffering and the psychological impact of structural violence and economic oppression in an ongoing conflict setting: The Gaza Strip. Journal of Community Psychology. 48 (6), pp. 1791-1810. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22367
Authors | Hammad, J. and Tribe, R. |
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Abstract | Structural violence and economic oppression (e.g. control over resources, politically engineered poverty and unemployment) are common features of warfare, yet there is a lack of research exploring the impact this has on civilian wellbeing in conflict‐affected areas. This study, embedded within a human rights and community liberation psychology framework, aims to address this need by studying young Palestinian university graduates living under military blockade and occupation in the Gaza Strip. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis indicated that economic and political domains adversely affected multiple aspects of civilian life and wellbeing. The findings revealed the deleterious effects of structural violence and economic oppression which created: human insecurity; poor psychological wellbeing and quality of life; existential, psychological and social suffering; humiliation; injuries to dignity; multiple losses; and led to life being experienced as ‘on hold’. Local expressions and idioms to express distress were identified. The findings contributed to unique insights regarding how continual, systemic, and structural oppression can be potentially more psychologically detrimental than specific incidents of conflict and violence. The implications and the relevance of the findings to mental health and disaster relief are considered. Interventions providing human security and economic security should be prioritised. |
Journal | Journal of Community Psychology |
Journal citation | 48 (6), pp. 1791-1810 |
ISSN | 0090-4392 |
Year | 2020 |
Publisher | Wiley |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Repository staff only |
Publisher's version | License File Access Level Anyone |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22367 |
Web address (URL) | https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22367 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 12 May 2020 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 21 Apr 2020 |
Deposited | 15 May 2020 |
Copyright holder | © 2020 The Authors |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/87zx9
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