The effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy on enhancing adjustment and reducing impulsivity among Iranian couples.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based training program in improving marital adjustment and reducing impulsivity among Iranian couples. The study used a quasi-experimental design with two groups: experimental and control. The sample of the current study consisted of 16 married couples from the city of Tehran, totaling 32 participants. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups, experimental and control, with each group consisting of 8 couples. The results indicated the effectiveness of the mindfulness program in enhancing marital adjustment, with the posttest mean rising to (2.86), and the average impulsivity score decreased to 2.59, indicating a significant reduction in impulsivity among Iranian couples. Mindfulness-based therapy directly affects participants' ability to regulate immediate emotions. This increased awareness significantly helps in managing harmful mental behaviors such as impulsivity, substance abuse, and poor adaptability. Future research should investigate the broader effects of mindfulness on mental and behavioral outcomes, with a focus on addressing impulsivity in young couples. Additionally, incorporating mindfulness-based therapy for couples both before and during marriage could enhance interpersonal relationships and overall quality of life.

Social-emotional competence, social adequacy, and self-regulation among Iranian female high school students.

The research aimed to investigate the association between social-emotional competence and social adequacy with the self-regulation of female high school students in Tehran. The sample of the current study consisted of 250 female participants from the student community in different educational areas of Tehran, who were selected using the multi-stage cluster sampling method. The measurement tools were: The social-emotional competence scale, the social adequacy scale and the self-regulation questionnaire. The findings revealed a positive association between social-emotional competence, social adequacy, and self-regulation among Iranian female students. Resulted of regression analysis showed that self-regulation was positively predicted by social-emotional competence and social adequacy. Enhancing social competence, particularly in emotional and psychological aspects, can improve students' adaptation and well-being. This can help prevent issues such as social rejection, substance abuse, and depression in both their school environment and future personal and professional lives. Additionally, it is important to implement various intervention programs targeting parents and teachers to raise awareness about social-emotional competence and social adequacy in adolescent girls, as well as strategies for fostering these skills. This will improve their mental health and help prevent the development of various addictive behaviors.

The association between self-knowledge from Islamic perspective and mental health among Iranian female students.

This study aimed to relate self-knowledge to mental health (from Islamic perspective), and compare it among the female students. Using the Morgan table, we selected 379 students from four universities, namely alzahra University, a single-sex university, the University of Tehran, Shahid Beheshti University, and Kharazmi University. The samples were selected randomly by applying a stratified sampling method. We utilized two instruments: Islamic self-knowledge and general mental health questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson Correlation Coefficient, independent samples t-test, and linear regression analysis using SPSS version 25. The results showed that there were significant association between self-knowledge and mental health. However, there were no significant differences between the female students of humanities and sciences, whether from the point of self-knowledge or mental health. The results also showed no significant differences between the students of alzahra University and the female students of the other three universities in self-knowledge and mental health. In each case, the results are compared to Islamic viewpoints (Quran, Hadith, and Quotations from various Islamic thinkers) as well as the psychological viewpoints of Maslow and Rogers. Our findings underline the importance of enhancing self-knowledge among female university students as a protective factor against mental health outcomes (substance abuse, depression, and anxiety) Moreover, Faith based strategies are known to be effective, more accessible than mental health professional services and will carry less stigma in the target community.

The development and validation of the Palestinian children's traumatic events checklist in a war-torn environment.

Traumatic experiences in childhood can lead to trauma symptoms and impaired mental health, especially when children are exposed to war and political violence. Despite significant attention to child's exposure to traumas, few instruments to detect potentially traumatic events have been validated psychometrically. Our study aimed to develop, adapt and validate a user-friendly traumatic events checklist in Palestinian children living in three areas affected by low-intensity war and ongoing political and military violence. 965 Palestinian children (494 males and 471 females) living in the Gaza Strip, West Bank and East Jerusalem were administered with a tailor-made Traumatic Events checklist, Children Impact of Events scale, and Strengths and Difficulties Scale. Exploratory and Confirmatory factor analysis was run to detect the factorial structure of the checklist. Furthermore, ANOVA was performed to identify statistically significant demographic differences among participants. A three factors structure emerged with Political violence-related traumatic experiences (PVTE), military violence against individuals (MVI), and military violence against individuals and families (MVF). Gaza children and adolescents resulted in being the most exposed to potentially traumatic events. The instrument can clearly portray potentially traumatic experiences in children exposed to violent events and adverse childhood experiences.

Positive and negative effects of child's agency on trauma symptoms and psychological difficulties in war-like conditions. The mediating role of hope and life satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Children affected by war and political violence deploy agentic competencies to cope with trauma symptoms and psychological difficulties. However, it does not always act as a protective factor to help them adjust to potentially traumatic events. AIMS: We expected to explore the association between agency, trauma symptoms and psychological difficulties and the mediating role of hope and life satisfaction in a group of child victims of military violence in Palestine. METHODS: 965 children aged 8 to 14 were assessed with self-reported measures, War Child Agency Assessment Scale, Children Revised Impact of events scale, Strengths and difficulties scale, Child Hope Scale and Brief Multidimensional Students Life Satisfaction Scale. Structural Equation Modelling was performed having Agency as a predictor, trauma symptoms, psychological difficulties as an outcome variable and life satisfaction and hope as a mediator. RESULTS: We found a direct and positive effect of agency on trauma symptoms, psychological difficulties, and life satisfaction and hope on the two dependent variables. Life satisfaction and hope mediated the association between agency and the outcome variables. CONCLUSION: Agency can help defend children from trauma and psychological maladaptation when it acts on life satisfaction and hope. At the same time, it might worsen psychological dysfunctions when working directly on trauma symptoms and difficulties. Clinical interventions must help children to foster agentic resources in activating hope and life satisfaction.

Trauma predicts the desire to migrate and psychological well-being via belongingness and quality of life among Palestinians.

OBJECTIVES: The current study aimed to test the association between trauma symptoms, desire to migrate and psychological well-being, and whether general belongingness, belongingness to place, and quality of life mediate the association between these variables. METHOD: The sample of our study consisted of 470 Palestinian adults. Participants' age ranged from 21 to 52 years old (M = 36.4, SD = 14.24). They were all recruited from online advertisements, e-mail campaigns, and social media. The General Belongingness Scale, The Psychological Place Attachment Scale, The Impact of the Event Scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life Instruments, and The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale were administered. RESULTS: The findings of our study revealed that trauma symptoms negatively correlated with psychological well-being (r = -.47, p < .01), general belongingness (r = -.50, p < .01), belongingness to place (r = -.16, p < .05), and quality of life (r = -.16, p < .05), and positively associated with desire to migrate (r = .26, p < .01). Moreover, results of structural equation modeling showed that the association between trauma symptoms, psychological well-being, and desire to migrate was mediated by general belongingness, belongingness to place, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study indicate the importance of supporting health providers and policymakers in enhancing quality of life and strengthening belongingness and attachment to the place among Palestinians to control the effects of ongoing trauma on mental health and mitigate the risks of illegal (or legal) migration from the homeland. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Life stressors, tobacco use, and mental health among Palestinian youths: The mediating role of quality of life and physical activity.

The current study tested the association between life stressors and tobacco use and mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety, among Palestinian youths and whether quality of life (QoL) and physical activity can mediate the association between these variables. The sample consisted of 405 Palestinian youths, 245 male and 160 female; all were selected using online methods. Our findings revealed that life stressors were positively correlated with tobacco use (r = .20, p < .01), anxiety (r = -0.32, p < .01), and depression (r = .23, p < .01), while life stressors were negatively correlated with physical activity (r = -0.15, p < .01) and QoL (r = -0.41, p < .01). Results of structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that QoL and physical activity mediated the association between life stressors and depression and anxiety. Our findings underline the importance of increasing physical activity levels among youths as a protective factor against tobacco use, depression, and anxiety. Moreover, community and school-based interventions to promote QoL and positive mental health in adolescents and youths should incorporate frequent physical activity and engagement in individual or team sports.

Energy drinks, substance use, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Palestinian athletes: the mediating role of perceived self-efficacy and resilience.

The current study aimed to test the association between energy drinks, substance use, and posttraumatic stress symptoms, and the mediating role of perceived self-efficacy and resilience among Palestinian athletes. The sample of our study consisted of 480 Palestinian athletes: 160 women and 320 men, all were selected from five Palestinian universities located in the West Bank of Palestine. The findings of our study revealed that energy drinks positively correlated with substance abuse, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. In addition, a negative association was found between perceived self-efficacy, substance use, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Moreover, a negative association was found between resilience, substance use, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Results of Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that resilience and perceived self-efficacy mediated the association between energy drinks, substance use and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Our findings underline the importance of enhancing resilience and perceived self-efficacy among athletes to prevent initial substance use/misuse, as several traits found in resilient athletes such as high self-esteem, empathy, help-seeking, and self-awareness are important in deterring athletes from engaging in harmful substances like tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol.

Hope and life satisfaction in Palestinian children victim of military violence: The predictive role of agency, potentially traumatic experiences and symptoms of trauma.

BACKGROUND: Children exposed political violence deploy resources to maintain functioning, hope and life satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore whether or not children promote hope and life satisfaction trough agency, psychological difficulties, potentially traumatic experiences and symptoms in Palestine. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: 965 children (494 males and 471 females) in multiple geographical contexts, and areas were involved. METHODS: We administered the War Child Agency Assessment Scale, Child Hope Scale, Multilevel Students'Life Satisfaction Scale-Bref, the Strength and difficulties scale, the Child Revised Impact of events Scale, and Trauma Checklist, and performed regression analysis; hope and life satisfaction were dependent and agency, strength and difficulties, trauma symptoms and traumatic events independent variables. RESULTS: Specific forms of agency predicted life satisfaction (ß = 0.219; ** p < .01, social agency; ß = 0.11; ** p < .01, with agency in education) and hope (ß = 0.07; ** p < .05, agency on free movement), while mental difficulties (conduct problems, ß = -0.09; ** p < .01; hyperactivity, ß = -0.07; ** p < .05; ß = -0.15; ** p < .01 with life satisfaction) (conduct problems, ß = -0.06; ** p < .05, and difficulties in pro-social behaviour, ß = -0.21; ** p < .01 with hope), traumatic events (ß = -0.16; ** p < .01, with life satisfaction; ß = -0.15; ** p < .01, with hope) and trauma symptoms (ß = -0.09; ** p < .05, with hope) were negatively associated with the dependents variables. CONCLUSIONS: We found a positive role of social, educational, and freedom of movement agentic behaviours in fostering hope and life satisfaction.

Enhancing healthcare providers' diagnostic and intervention skills to deal with suicidal patients at emergency departments in the Palestinian hospitals: a quasi experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Suicide cases in Palestine continue to record a remarkable annual increase, but we lack a comprehensive verified national data collection system of suicide and it is expected that real numbers of attempted/suicide in Palestine are higher because not all suicide or attempted suicide cases are reported. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a time-limited training intervention in enhancing healthcare providers' diagnostic and intervention skills to deal with suicidal patients who visit emergency departments in Palestinian hospitals. METHODS: The sample consisted of 43 healthcare providers who work in public hospitals in the northern of the West Bank of Palestine, ranging from 25 to 56 years, involving 36 males and 7 females. A one-group quasi-experimental design was used, in which the experimental group received a training program to enhance healthcare providers' diagnostic and intervention skills to deal with suicidal ideations and attempts, the intervention lasted for 8 weeks, with 1 session per week. The performance of the experimental group was tested before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Our findings revealed the effectiveness of the training intervention in enhancing participants' suicide assessment, diagnosis, and self-care skills. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a brief and carefully developed training intervention can potentially change healthcare providers' perceptions and behaviors toward suicide with a possible impact on clinical care therein.

The association between posttraumatic stress symptoms and suicidal ideations among Palestinians: The mediating role of spirituality, social support and mindfulness.

The current study aimed to test whether social support, spirituality and mindfulness mediated the association between posttraumatic stress symptoms and suicidal ideation among Palestinians. The study sample consisted of 520 Palestinian adults selected using online tools. The findings of the study revealed that posttraumatic stress symptoms positively correlated with suicidal ideations (r = .32, p < .01), and negatively correlated with social support (r = -.34, p < .01), spirituality (r = -.16, p < .05) and mindfulness (r = -.72, p < .01), whereas suicidal ideations negatively correlated with social support (r = -.46, p < .01), spirituality(r = -.27, p < .01) and mindfulness (r = -.72, p < .01). Results of the path analysis showed that social support, spirituality and mindfulness mediated the association between posttraumatic stress symptoms and suicidal ideations. Developing intervention programs to enhance social support, mindfulness and spirituality to mitigate the effect of ongoing traumatic experiences among Palestinians is crucial to reducing suicidal ideations. Further studies are also recommended to investigate the role of potentially protective factors that may reduce suicidal ideations and appropriate techniques to deal effectively with traumatic and stressful events.

Quality of life and mental health outcomes: the role of sociodemographic factors in the Palestinian context.

The Mental health of Palestinians has been described as among the lowest in the world, with over half of Palestinian adults meeting the diagnostic threshold for depressive symptoms and a significant portion of Palestinians experiencing mental distress and anxiety. The aim of the current study was to test the correlation between quality of life (QoL) and mental health outcomes, and the role of sociodemographic variables in predicting mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and stress) among Palestinian adults during a challenging period of political conflict. The sample of our study consisted of 957 participants, 283 males and 674 females they were recruited using online methods; online advertisements, e-mail campaigns and social media. Our findings showed that QoL negatively correlated with stress (r = - 0.43, p < 0.01), anxiety (r = - 0.46, p < 0.01), and depression (r = - 0.47, p < 0.05). Moreover, stress positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.81, p < 0.01), and depression (r = 0.89, p < 0.01). Finally, anxiety positively correlated with depression (r = 0.82, p < 0.01). Results of hierarchical regression analysis to predict stress, anxiety and depression, indicated that QoL, educational level, gender, region of residence, and age explained in a significant way variance in depression, anxiety and stress. Our findings are promising to conduct other studies in order to understand better how current study variables correlate to each other, so appropriate clinical interventions to mitigate the negative effects of depression, anxiety, and stress through enhancing quality of life and positive coping strategies can be developed and implemented by mental health providers.

Concerns, perceived risk, and hesitancy on COVID-19 vaccine: a qualitative exploration among university students living in the West Bank.

The current study aimed to explore Palestinian university students' perceptions and concerns about COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy. Our sample comprised 50 university students selected using snowball sampling techniques from Palestinian universities in the West Bank, Palestine. Thematic content analysis was conducted to identify the main themes of semi-structured interviews with students. The results of the thematic content analysis yielded four main themes: Students' perceptions and concerns on COVID-19 vaccinations, perceived risks of vaccination, experiences related to vaccination, and causes of vaccination hesitancy. Participants expressed concerns and doubts about the vaccine's safety, showing high hesitancy and scepticism; they also reported different causes for COVID-19 vaccination hesitancy in the Palestinian context, such as the lack of confidence in vaccines, false beliefs about vaccines, and peculiar political instability and conflict of the Palestinian territories enduring a military occupation undermining the health system's capacity to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak appropriately. Health authorities and policymakers are urgently called to invest in and potentiate awareness campaigns to change the diffuse people's stereotypes related to the COVID-19 vaccine in the Palestinian territories.

Posttraumatic stress symptoms and postpartum anxiety among palestinian women: the mediating roles of self-esteem and social support.

BACKGROUND: Women are estimated to develop several mental disorders during pregnancy and/or for up to a year postpartum, with anxiety and depression being the most common co-morbidities. Postpartum anxiety is less well studied compared with postpartum depression in the Palestinian context in terms of risk factors, mental health outcomes and protective factors. PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether self-esteem and social support mediated the association between posttraumatic stress symptoms and postpartum anxiety among Palestinian women. METHODS: Berlin Social Support Scales, Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale, Impact of the Event Scale, and Rosenberg self-esteem scale were administered to 408 Palestinian women recruited from health centers in northern of the West Banks/ Palestine using a convenience sample. RESULTS: The findings of our study revealed that postpartum anxiety positively correlated with posttraumatic stress symptoms (r = .56, p < .01), and negatively correlated with social support (r = - .30, p < .01), and self-esteem (r = - .27, p < .05). Moreover, posttraumatic stress symptoms negatively correlated with social support (r = - .24, p < .01), and self-esteem (r = - .25, p < .01). Results of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed a good fit of the hypothesized model. CONCLUSIONS: Given this, it is recommended to conduct similar studies with diverse samples in the Palestinian society. It would also be useful for health professionals who work with Palestinian pregnant women (i.e., mental health providers, nurses, midwives, physicians) to assess self-esteem and social support in an effort to identify women who may be at greater risk of developing postpartum anxiety. It may also be worthwhile to develop and implement interventions during pregnancy which serve to enhance a women's sense of self-esteem during this particularly stressful period.

The Effect of STEAM Activities Based on Experiential Learning on Ninth Graders' Mental Motivation.

The impact of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) on pupils' learning has been increasingly highlighted recently. This study aims to shed light on the effect of STEAM activities based on experiential learning on ninth graders' mental motivation and learning. The present research adopted a mixed methodology (quantitative and qualitative). The study sample consisted of 90 students divided into three groups. The tools utilized in conducting the study included California Measurement Mental Motivation, and semi-structured interviews with (10) participants. The tools' validity and reliability were verified. After data were analyzed, the findings showed statically significant differences between students' post average scores regarding mental motivation due to teaching method, and in favor of the experimental groups (face-to-face STEAM activities, online STEAM activities). This provides tangible proof for the need to include STEAM activities in school curricula to enhance learners' curiosity, problem-solving skills and self-confidence through learning, as well as their task accomplishment ability.

Psychometric Properties and Factorial Structure of Postpartum-Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS) Within Arabic Language in a Palestinian Context.

BACKGROUND: The Postpartum-Specific Anxiety Scale (PSAS) is an international measure designed to evaluate anxiety experienced by mothers in the postpartum period from one day to six months; the scale was translated into Arabic and validated within Palestinian context to test postpartum anxiety among Palestinian women. AIMS: The current study aimed to test the psychometric properties and the factorial structure within the Arabic language in a Palestinian context using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The sample of this study consisted of 475 Palestinian women recruited from health centers in the West Banks of Palestine using a convenience sample. 61% were of ages 20-30 years and 39% percent ages 31-40 years. FINDINGS: The PSAS showed good validity and reliability indicators in assessing postpartum anxiety within Palestinian context. Results of CFA showed a stable construct of a four-factor structure in assessing postpartum anxiety among Palestinian mothers: (1) competence and attachment anxieties, (2) infant safety and welfare anxieties, (3) practical baby care anxieties and (4) psychosocial adjustment to motherhood, which is consisting with the original four-factor structure of the scale. CONCLUSIONS: The PSAS showed good validity indicators within Palestinian context. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct similar studies with clinical and non-clinical groups in the Palestinian society. The PSAS can be a useful measure to assess anxiety levels among women during the postpartum months; which will enable mental health providers to provide psychological interventions for mothers whose anxiety levels are high.

Transgenerational trauma and collective resilience: A qualitative analysis of the experiences of settler-colonial violence among three generations of Palestinian refugees.

BACKGROUND: Palestinian people have endured collective dispossession and social suffering for 74 years from the so-called Al-Nakba (Palestinian catastrophe). AIMS: The present exploratory work sought to analyze experiences of settler-colonial violence over three generations of Palestinian refugees. METHODS: Forty-five participants (Mage = 44.45; range 13-85) were recruited via snowball sampling and interviewed to explore their understanding of transgenerational and collective trauma. Interviews were analyzed through thematic content analysis, resulting in four emerging themes distributed among the three generations. RESULTS: The four themes encompassed (1) The impact of Al-Nakba, (2) Hardships, challenges, and quality of life, (3) Coping strategies, and (4) Dreams and hopes for the future. The results have been discussed using local idioms of distress and resilience. CONCLUSIONS: The Palestinian experience of transgenerational trauma and resilience depicts a portrait of extreme trauma and endurance that cannot be reduced to the mere nosographic collection of Western-informed psychiatric symptoms. Instead, a human rights approach to Palestinian social suffering is most recommended.

Political violence and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Palestinians: The mediating roles of sense of belongingness and loneliness.

The current study investigated the correlation between political violence and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and whether the sense of belongingness (SOB) and loneliness mediate the correlation between the two variables among Palestinians living in a society characterised by high political violence and prolonged traumatic events. The study sample consisted of 590 Palestinian adults, consisting of 360 men and 230 women, and were recruited using non-probabilistic convenience sampling methods from a village in the northern region of the occupied Palestinian territories. This study suggests a positive correlation between political violence and PTSS, a positive correlation between loneliness and PTSS, and a negative correlation between SOB and PTSS. SOB and loneliness mediated the correlation between political violence and trauma-related symptoms.

The association between parenting styles, maternal self-efficacy, and social and emotional adjustment among Arab preschool children.

Parenting styles and parental self-efficacy are major factors that affect the overall adjustment of children. The current study examined parenting styles and maternal self-efficacy and their association with social-emotional adjustment among Arab preschool children living in Israel. Parenting Styles Questionnaire, Maternal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and Adjustment Questionnaire were administered to 420 Arabic-speaking mothers of 3- to 4-year-old children. After employing multiple regression analyses, the results indicated that parenting styles and the overall adjustment of children were significantly correlated. More precisely, a significant association between authoritative parenting style and higher levels of social-emotional adjustment among preschool children was found. Furthermore, maternal self-efficacy was significantly correlated to the overall adjustment of children. In this regard, higher maternal self-efficacy is associated with increased social-emotional adjustment among preschool children. The findings of our study show the applicability of these constructs found relevant across numerous cultures in a unique sample of Arab children living in Israel. Lastly, this study supports intervention programs that promote authoritative parenting style and parental self-efficacy in Arab communities.

Palestinian law to protect family and prevent violence: challenges with public opinion.

The Palestinian Family Protection Law was submitted for ratification in November 2020 after much collaboration between advocates, attorneys and governmental officials, as well as community and international organizations. The draft bill addresses a myriad of social issues affecting vulnerable populations in the West Bank of Palestine, including: the legal age for marriage; gender inequality in inheritance; divorce; gender-based violence; and domestic violence. However, immediate feedback from local religious scholars, with increasing pressure from the general Palestinian population, was deeply divided, with negative perceptions relating to the perceived 'foreign' nature of the regulations and criticism that the law was not in accordance with Palestinian culture and Islamic Law. This criticism led to two years of inactivity regarding the bill. The current study sought to evaluate the attitudes, behavior and beliefs regarding the underlying human rights issues and assumptions concerning gender, marriage, and domestic violence that could be found in the codices of the proposed legislation as well as among the general population of Palestine. The data demonstrates that the population sampled viewed the underlying premise of the Family Protection Bill negatively. Individuals with a graduate degree or above tended to view the bill with less negativity, whilst females viewed the bill more positively than males. The results of this study illustrate that, with regard to legislation that relates to family life in Palestine, there is a wide gap between the points of view held by human rights advocates and NGO's and those held by the general population. To further the agenda of family protection community education relating to social issues, the fundamentals of Sharia law and national sovereignty may be needed so as to clarify the core Islamic beliefs in relation to human rights and oppression, as well as to increase Palestinian ownership of the family protection agenda.