Reclaiming identity

The Gaza War's role in shaping Palestinian university students' resilience and life's meaning

Bibliographic Data

ID9405853
AuthorsMunther Saeedi (0000-0003-4912-9000, corresponding author), Oqab Jabali (0000-0003-1156-6205), Fakher Khalili (0000-0002-7985-0643)
Year2025
Volume259
Pages105312-105312
Publication date2025-07-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueActa Psychologica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105312
PMID40694981
OpenAlexW4412535224
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited24

The 2023 Gaza War has significantly impacted Palestinian identity and resilience, reshaping how individuals and communities perceive their sense of self and collective purpose amidst ongoing conflict and occupation. This study examines how the war has redefined resilience and identity among Palestinian university students, focusing on the ongoing process of redefining life and resistance under occupation. A purposive sample of 31 bachelor's degree students from An-Najah National University was selected for qualitative interviews, representing diverse academic disciplines. The results reveal that the war has significantly influenced students' perceptions of resilience and identity, highlighting a shift toward a more collective and culturally rooted understanding of these concepts. The narratives underscore the role of education and community support in fostering resilience, while reflecting on the ongoing challenges posed by occupation and conflict. The study concludes that the resilience inherent in Palestinian identity continues to evolve in response to the changing landscape of conflict and oppression, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these shifts as part of a broader, enduring process of resistance and adaptation

Aesthetics · Art · Identity (music · Meaning (existential · Psychotherapist · Resilience (materials science · Sociology · Education and experiences of immigrants and refugees · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology · Social Psychology

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