Psychological Resilience among Palestinian Adolescent Ex-detainees in Israeli Jails

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.13169/bethunivj.37.2020.0085
• Pages: 85-104
• Published date: 01 January 2020
• Date: 01 January 2020
• Author: Ferdoos Abed Rabo Al-Issa

84 Bethlehem University Journal 37 (2020)

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85

Bethlehem University Journal 37 (2020)

Psychological Resilience among Palestinian

Adolescent Ex-detainees in Israeli Jails

Ferdoos Abed Rabo Al-Issa

Abstract

The current study is designed to identify factors that affect the psychological

resilience of Palestinian adolescent ex-detainees of Israeli jails and understand

the meaning and content of psychological resilience. This study utilizes

qualitative data collection and analysis methods, mainly conducting semi-

structured interviews and thematic analyses of interview content. The study

sample consists of ten adolescent ex-detainees and uses purposeful selection

to ensure the inclusion of ex-detainees from the southern areas of the West

Bank (Bethlehem and Hebron), aged between seventeen to nineteen. The

ndings indicate that resilience is based on a high tolerance of stress resulting

from traumatic events, such as arrest, and the ability to control life events,

along with the reinforcement of a positive attitude toward social and political

experiences, and the capacity to transform stress into an opportunity instead of a

debilitating threat. The results also show that resilience is correlated with various

factors, including secure attachment, supportive relationships, social support

systems, conict relationships – personal and collective aggression, challenge,

commitment to principles (i.e. nationalism) and post hoc engagement in public

events (community and voluntary work, solidarity visits with families of ex-

detainees, participation in public discourse).

Keywords: Resilience, torture, ex-detainee, adolescents

Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in this article do not represent the

opinions of the Journal’s editorial board and staff of the Dean of Research at Bethlehem

University. The accuracy of the material and any errors in this publication are the sole

responsibility of the author

86 Bethlehem University Journal 37 (2020)

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Introduction

For more than seventy years, Palestinians have been enduring various forms

of traumatic events. Beginning from 1948, Palestinians have been confronting

the Ongoing Nakba’s violence that has led to their displacement from their

hometowns and the murder, detention, and torture of thousands in Israeli jails.

Since 1967, the Israeli occupation has arrested an estimated 750,000 Palestinians

for resisting the occupation. According to the Commission of Detainees and Ex-

Detainees’ Affairs, the Israeli occupation forces have detained 6742 Palestinians