Traumatic grief, health and mental health in Palestine: the mediating role of posttraumatic growth and resilience.

BACKGROUND

Palestinian youth have faced considerable mental health challenges due to the traumatic impact of war-related losses, prompting research into the psychological effects of such experiences. These challenges include impaired physical and psychological health, which are often exacerbated by grief from violent losses. Understanding the factors that influence their psychological well-being and recovery, such as posttraumatic growth and resilience, is crucial for developing effective interventions.

PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE

We administered the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System, Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report Version, Resilience Scale for Adults, and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form to 520 Palestinian youth (240 males, 280 females). Participants' age ranged from 23 to 58 years ( = 35.3, = 12.27). Structural equation modeling tested the mediating roles of posttraumatic growth and resilience on the relationship between traumatic grief and mental health symptoms.

RESULTS

Palestinians exposed to war-related losses exhibited impaired physical and psychological health, with traumatic grief negatively correlated with resilience ( = -.54), posttraumatic growth ( = -.36), mental health ( = -.55), and health ( = -.64) (all < .01). Resilience and posttraumatic growth were positively correlated with mental health ( = .68, < .01) and health ( = .56, < .01). Structural equation modeling revealed a significant indirect effect of traumatic grief on both mental health (β = -.55, < .001) and health (β = -.64, < .001), mediated by resilience (β = .12, < .05) and posttraumatic growth (β = .21, < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions should extend beyond symptom elimination, focusing on promoting the flourishing and well-being of individuals affected by war and violence. Combining clinical work with well-being promotion is crucial to alleviate the burdens of violent loss among war and violence victims.