Children at the Checkpoint: Promoting the Mental Health of Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation in the West Bank
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Authors
Miller, Michelle
Issue Date
2024-08-22
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
West Bank , Palestinian children , mental health , political violence , ecological development theory , trauma
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone explores the mental health impacts on Palestinian children living under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank, focusing on how chronic exposure to political violence affects their psychological well-being. The study is guided by ecological development theory, which emphasizes the influence of a child's social environment, including family, school, and community, on their mental health. The research highlights the severe psychological consequences for children, including anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These conditions are exacerbated by factors such as home demolitions, military checkpoints, and child detention. The study also critiques the Western biomedical model for its inadequacy in addressing the collective and ongoing trauma faced by these children. Instead, it advocates for culturally sensitive, multi-layered interventions, emphasizing the importance of structural change and resilience-building at individual, familial, community, and policy levels. The findings underscore the critical need for mental health practitioners to consider the sociopolitical context and follow local leadership when designing interventions for Palestinian children. The capstone concludes by calling for a broader, more culturally attuned approach to mental health that prioritizes the voices and experiences of those living under occupation, with the ultimate goal of supporting their resilience and psychological well-being.