Training Women Graduates as Human Relations Counsellors and Researchers in Gaza, Palestine: “Beyond Brokenness”—A Planned Research Framework

摘要

Background: The people of Gaza, Palestine have suffered profoundly since conflict with Israel began in 2000, with the resulting warfare and blockades. Following a series of external bombardments between 2000 and 2014, much of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed, without hope of rebuilding. Many schools, hospitals and colleges have been destroyed. Public health conditions are deteriorating, and physical and mental health of women and children has been profoundly affected in negative ways. Post-traumatic stress following numerous bombardments is a major problem. Mental health of adults and children is declining, but no information is available on changes in mental health after the most recent conflict of 2014. Methods: Firstly, this paper offers an overview of psychosocial survival in Gaza, Palestine and potentials for strengthening psychological resistance to future trauma. A proposed research programme is outlined, which aims to create a cadre of ‘resilient women’. We have planned, with local cooperation, a programme for creating a cadre of strong and resilient women, who can counsel and support others in offering social and psychological supports, through a modified form of cognitive behaviour education. Measures to be used in the main study have been successfully piloted, and plans established for recruitment of 100 “resilient women” graduates, through social network analysis. Results and Conclusions: Political barriers to effective implementation of this research programme are outlined.