A mixed-method exploration of agency and well-being in a group of Palestinian children living under military oppression and political violence: the role of gender and living contexts

Through a mixed-method explanatory design, the study investigates the role of gender and living contexts in influencing Palestinian children’s perception of oppression, their access to resources for improved psychological functioning, and their ability to cope with hardships. Two hundred and fifty Palestinian children from cities, villages, and refugee camps (M=11.58, SD=1.49) completed four self-reported measures, Multilevel Student’s Life Satisfaction Scale, Children’s Hope Scale, Children’s Impact of Event Scale, and Positive and Negative Affect Scales. Then, based on drawings and walk-along interviews with 75 children (M=10.27, SD=1.38) from the same contexts, thematic analysis was performed to detect gender and context-specific differences regarding all the variables, which assisted in the interpretation of quantitative findings. Findings showed higher girls’ satisfaction in the dimension of school and higher values of negative affect. Correlation analysis revealed that older girls displayed lower levels of life satisfaction, positive emotions, arousal symptoms, and agency. The comparison of urban, rural, and refugee camp participants yielded statistically significant differences concerning children’s satisfaction with their lives (MSLSS: F (2, 245) = 10.69, p < .001) and positive emotions (F (2, 245) = 6.49, p = .002). Six themes emerged from the TA: girls’ feelings of insecurity and uncertainty; gender gaps in mobility and accessibility to public spaces; education as a mean for equal rights; perceived gender inequality; environmental unpredictability in the context of Gaza; unstable social and environmental conditions in the refugee camps. Participants’ strategies of resistance to endure adverse living conditions were explored.