Ayah Saleh

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Hicks, Barbara

Area of Concentration

Political Science

Abstract

Despite the pervasive presence of occupation and its potential ramifications on mental health, a notable gap in research exists concerning the specific impact of Israel’s occupation on Palestinian youth. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, this study identifies key determinants of mental health and examines their manifestation within the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Drawing upon established frameworks and empirical evidence, the research explores how factors such as violence, restricted movement, food and water insecurity, and inadequate sanitary infrastructure intersect to shape the mental well-being of Palestinian youth under occupation. For each of these major features of occupation, this thesis synthesizes findings from existing research on the impact of similar conditions on mental health in other contexts and applies them to the Palestinian context. By juxtaposing these findings with the realities faced by Palestinian youth and the limited empirical information we have about youth mental health in the OPT, the study explains the unique challenges posed by occupation and their implications for mental health outcomes. The research reveals significant parallels between the identified determinants of mental health and the conditions prevalent in the occupied Palestinian territories. Within the challenging context in which Palestinian youth live, the research we have shows that these youth do indeed suffer from alarming rates of the predicted mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, as well as self-harm habits, hyper-vigilance, sleep-disorders, and developmental challenges. These rates have no doubt risen with the recent events in Palestine, exacerbating the already dire mental health situation. Urgent action is required to address the mental health needs of Palestinian youth. Incorporating comprehensive mental health programs into humanitarian aid and government initiatives is imperative to mitigate the detrimental effects of both longstanding and acute forms of occupation and to promote the well-being of youth in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

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