Mothering within the context of political violence: an exploratory qualitative study of mental health risks and resilience

Abstract

BackgroundModern strategies of political violence increasingly rely on the erosion of previously held boundaries between a war-front and a home-front. As political violence intrudes into civilian spaces, families encounter home invasions and demolitions; impediments on movement; and surveillance, detainment, and humiliation. Because of the use of these type of tactics, political violence jeopardises the protective role of parents when it is most needed. Yet, despite a few studies associating the inability to safeguard their children to parents' profound distress, insufficient knowledge exists of how, within political violence, parents encounter unique threats to well being and strategise for individual and family resilience. In this pilot study we aimed to expand knowledge about mental health and the family within political violence through exploring mothers' experiences during this type of conflict. MethodsIn 2008, a collaborative team undertook five focus groups in Arabic with a total of 32 Palestinian women. Respondents were chosen from general health, children's clinics, and eye-care clinics in the West Bank. Verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants. Translation included multiple stages; using two translations, the research team jointly resolved any discrepancies and arrived at a final agreed translation. Researchers analysed data with conventional content analysis, initially coding line-by-line and then constructing thematic network displays to connect codes and create larger themes. FindingsWomen reported routine threats to their abilities to protect and care for their children within political violence, because of economic turmoil; shootings and arrests; home invasions and demolitions; and restrictions on movement that prevent mothers from helping children obtain health care, continue education, and visit important cultural sites. Women described a sense of helplessness and grief in the face of their children's fear and distress as mothers struggled to simultaneously shield children from and help them make sense of suffering. Women's narratives also detailed regular attempts at resistance, small and large, wherein mothers strategised to ensure the safety and dignity of themselves, their family, and their culture. InterpretationResults illustrate particular ways that, within conflicts, mothers both suffer and promote individual and collective resilience. Results from this pilot study suggest a framework to analyse future qualitative and quantitative research on this topic, and facilitate continued investigations into health and family within political violence. FundingThe National Institute of Mental Health (grant T32MH20010).