Palestinian University Students Research Articles

Living under siege: resilience, hopelessness, and psychological distress among Palestinian students in the Gaza Strip.

Moving from an approach oriented to adaptation and functioning, the current paper explored the network of cumulative associations between the effects of the siege and resilience on mental health. We sought to explore the impact of the siege on psychological distress (anxiety, depression, and stress) and the moderating effect of resilience and hopelessness in a sample of 550 Palestinian university students. We hypothesized that the siege effect would impact psychological distress so that the more people were affected by the siege, the more mental symptoms of common mental disorders they would report. We also expected that the siege would negatively impact both resilience and participants' hopelessness. Findings showed that higher scores on the scale measuring effect of the siege were associated with hopelessness. Furthermore, living under siege compromised participants' resilience. The more the siege affected individuals, the lower resilience were protecting participants mental health and the more hopelessness was exposing them to anxiety, stress, and depression. Our findings draw attention to how the ongoing violation of human rights influences people's mental health in Gaza. Implications for clinicians and policymakers are discussed.

Digital Citizenship and its Relationship to the Level of Health Awareness of Corona Virus (Covid-19) among a Sample of Palestinian University Students

The study aims to identify the degree of appreciation for the level of digital citizenship of a sample of Palestinian university students in the governorates of Gaza, and its relationship to the level of health awareness about the emerging coronavirus (covid-19). To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher followed a descriptive approach by applying two questionnaires; the first, which consists of 30 items, was used to measure the level of digital citizenship. The second, which consists of 19 items, was used to measure the level of health awareness. Both questionnaires were applied on a sample of 367 students who were electronically selected using the manner simple randomness. Results have shown that the degree of appreciation for the level of digital citizenship was high with a relative weight of 76.08%. Besides, the level of health awareness of coronavirus was high with a relative weight of 81.83%. Additionally, it has been found that there is a direct relationship with a statistical significance between the degree of sample appreciation of the level of digital citizenship, and the degree of its evaluation of the level of health awareness of coronavirus, where the correlation coefficient was 0.468. Moreover, there has been shown that there are no statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the individuals appreciation of the level of health awareness of coronavirus (Covid-19) due to the gender variable. That is; the level of digital citizenship was in favor of females.The study recommended that e-university platforms should include health awareness messages for preventive purposes

The Association Between Social Skills, Grief and Resilience among Palestinian University Students Throughout the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Palestine

The Association Between Social Skills, Grief and Resilience among Palestinian University Students Throughout the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic in Palestine

Exploring health literacy and its associated factors among Palestinian university students: a cross-sectional study.

SummaryHealth literacy plays an important role in personal and community health. Since university is a turning point when young adults begin to take responsibility for their own health, understanding university students’ health literacy levels is crucial. To this end, we aimed to explore health literacy and its associated factors among Palestinian university students. We conducted a cross-sectional study at Birzeit University in the Ramallah district. We recruited 472 students using convenience sampling at six on-campus cafeterias. The 44-item Arabic version of the Health Literacy Questionnaire was used to measure students’ health literacy levels, while a locally developed distress scale was used to measure students’ distress levels. We stratified the multiple regression model for the health literacy score by gender. Students’ average total health literacy score was 135.3 (SD 20.9), with male students scoring significantly higher than female students. A higher health literacy score was significantly associated with having a father with a higher level of education, a higher frequency of medical checkups, higher self-reported health status, and consulting a higher number of sources for health-related information. High distress levels were associated with lower levels of health literacy, especially among female students. This study provides the first evidence on Palestinian university students’ health literacy levels. Tailored health education and promotion are required for students with low parental education and moderate to high distress. Future research is required to explain the gender differences in health literacy and distress among university students.

Political solutions among Palestinian university students: different models and conceptions

Once a baseline resolution to the question of Palestine, the two-state solution has become contested after decades of failed negotiation and renewed support for a one-state solution. This study measures Palestinian university students’ understandings of these different solutions through a representative survey. Results indicate that despite being unconvinced by it, the majority of respondents prefer a two-state solution, although their conception of its specificities differs to that of the Palestinian Authority. Most respondents held unclear ideas of the meaning of the one-state solution. Finally, a model based on analysis of this data explains the reasons and circumstances behind students’ preferences.

التسويف الأكاديمي وعالقته بالعافية النفسية لدى الطلبة الفلسطينيين بمحافظة الخليل

The study aimed to identify the relationship between academic procrastination and psychological well-being among Palestinian university students in Hebron Governorate. A random sample of 120 students from Palestinian universities in Hebron Governorate was selected. The study used the Academic Procrastination Scale (Abu Ghazal, 2012) and the Psychological Well-being Scale which was Arabized by Al-Jundi and Talahmah (2017). The psychometric properties of the scales were verified.The validity and reliability of the scales of Academic procrastination and the psychological well-being were confirmed. The study found an inverse correlation between and a moderate degree of academic procrastination and psychological well-being among Palestinian university students. There were differences in the academic procrastination degrees due to genderin favor of males, and the cumulative average in favor of students with less than 74%.No differences were found due to the academic level.

Effects of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking on the Spirometric Profile of University Students in Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Waterpipe smoking in young individuals is increasing with limited studies addressing its respiratory health effects. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of waterpipe smoking on young adults' lung functions. Spirometric parameters were compared between waterpipe smokers and nonsmokers. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study of university students, including males and females, was conducted. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to record students' characteristics. The spirometry test was performed to assess students' lung functions; we recorded the forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of FVC (FEF25–75%). Results A total of 300 apparently healthy students (150 waterpipe smokers and 150 nonsmokers) were included in the study. Waterpipe smokers showed significantly lower values in FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, and FEF25–75% compared to the nonsmoker group (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The subgroup analysis on female students (50 WP smokers and 50 nonsmokers) showed a significant decrease in FEV1/FVC ratio, PEF, and FEF25–75% parameters (P < 0.001). Conclusion Waterpipe smoking is associated with reduced spirometric parameters in healthy young adults with relatively limited smoking years.

The role of means of communication in changing the attitudes of Palestinian youth A Field Study on a Sample of University Students in the West Bank: دور وسائل الاتصال في تغير اتجاهات الشباب الفلسطيني دراسة ميدانية على عينة من طلبة الجامعات بالضفة الغربية

This study aims to identify the role of the means of communication by changing social, cultural, economic and political trends ,from the viewpoint of Palestinian university students in west bank, in the light of some demographic variables, and to achieve the objectives of the study were used descriptive and analytical approach, the study sample consisted which was the analysis of the data from the (168) students , they applied a questionnaire consisted of (28) items, divided into four main areas. The study concluded that a set of results, including: that the role of the means of communication in changing social trends came by (88.96%), and was the area of ​​change in the social sphere in the first place with a relative weight reached (96%), followed by a change in the cultural field relative weight was ( 91.06%), then the economic sphere relative weight was (89.90%), and was the last level the political field by (82.90%). and it found that there were no statistically significant differences between the averages of students' estimates of the role of the means of communication in changing social attitudes attributed to the variables of age, sex, social status, and academic level. In light of the results of the study the researcher recommended the need to encourage dialogue; to increase awareness to achieve positive change through media and advertising campaigns, and the importance of university curricula included topics about youth participation in political programs, economic, and social and cultural to bring about positive change.

Prevalence of temporomandibular disorders among Palestinian medical students

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a collective term that involves alterations in the temporomandibular joint, muscles of mastication and the occlusion. The TMD disorder is a common health problem which affects about 33% of the population within their lifetime. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of TMDs among university students in Palestine. The role of various risk factors in the etiology of TMD symptoms was also addressed. This is a cross sectional study based on a self-administered questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 416 dental and medical field students from all cities of Palestine studying at Arab American University of Palestine (with an age range of 18 – 27 years). In this study, 63.5% (n = 264) of the investigated students had at least one TMD symptom; clenching was the most prevalent TMD (35.6%) followed by joint noise (33.4%) while locked jaw was the least prevalent (10.6%) symptom. In the conclusion high prevalence of TMD among Palestinian medical students was reported, females reported more pain on TMJ area than males, age group (23 to 25) years reported more frequency of clenching than the other age groups, and strong correlation was found between stress, headache and TMD.

Prevalence of water-pipe smoking and associated factors among university students in Palestine: a cross sectional study

Prevalence of water-pipe smoking and associated factors among university students in Palestine: a cross sectional study

Relation between the Psychological Pain and Alexithymia among Palestinian University Students

Relation between the Psychological Pain and Alexithymia among Palestinian University Students

Social Norms and Perception of Waterpipe Smoking among Palestinian University Stu-dents

Social Norms and Perception of Waterpipe Smoking among Palestinian University Stu-dents

Psychological predictors of loneliness among Palestinian university students in the West Bank.

The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive role of life satisfaction, perceived social support, and psychological problems on loneliness among Palestinian university students in the West Bank. Participants were 254 volunteer undergraduate students (50.4% males and 49.6% females), ranging from 18 to 26 years of age. Data was collected using the Loneliness Scale (UCLA), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), Psychological Problems Scale and a Demographic Information Form. There was a significant gender bias towards loneliness, male students being lonelier than female students. Results showed that students who had higher loneliness, felt less satisfied with their life and perceived less support from friends, family and significant others. Furthermore, students who had high loneliness also presented more psychological problems. These results also indicated that, after accounting for psychological problems, life satisfaction, and social support from friends and significant others are negative predictors of loneliness. These findings suggest that universities should create strategies to improve well-being and social support to protect students from the negative effects of loneliness.

Sexual Education of Palestinian University Students: Between Perceptions and Cultural Barriers

This study explored the sexual education perceptions in the Palestinian society, as perceived by Al-Quds University students. Perceptions regarding sexual education were evaluated using an index with 50 items, which was developed by the researchers. It was administrated to 369 undergraduate students who were selected using the stratified method. The findings show that students at Al-Quds University were moderately knowledgeable of sexual education; females had fewer knowledge of sexual education than males. The statistics show that gender, school, academic year and religious commitment are significant predictors of students&amp;#39; perceptions of sexual education. Sexual education is a sensitive and sometimes taboo concept in the conservative Palestinian society that adheres to its religious, cultural and moral values.&amp;nbsp;

Prevalence and associated factors of psychoactive substance use among university students in the West Bank, Palestine

University students are at higher risk of using psychoactive substances (PS). The aim of this study was to provide insight into the extent and the pattern of PS use among students in four main universities in the West Bank, Palestine. The most frequent lifetime substance uses were smoking tobacco (41.6% for cigarettes and 50% for hookah), drinking alcohol (5.4%), and using illicit drugs (3.0%). The frequency of use was higher among males, with higher income, orphans, or whose parents experienced more conflict in their relationship. Cannabis, synthetic cannabinoids, and amphetamines were the most common used illicit drugs. Factors determined the danger of using PS were the initiation age, availability of money and substances, substances types, frequency of use, and using multiple substances at the same time. Escaping from problems and peer pressure was the most important motives to substances use. Students who manifested a history of violence were significantly more likely being substance users whatever is the substance in question. Overall, PS use is common among Palestinian university students despite them being knowledgeable about the dangers of substance use. The results of this study demonstrate an urgent need for the development of intervention and immediate attention of local authorities.

Psychometric analysis of the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) among Palestinian university students

The purpose of this research was to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the short-form UCLA Loneliness Scale (ULS-6) among Palestinian university students. The sample consisted of 288 university students (56% women and 44% men), aged 18-22 years. The psychometric characteristics of the ULS-6 were examined using confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, and criterion-related validity methods. The unidimensionality of the ULS-6 was supported among Palestinian university students. The ULS-6 showed good psychometric characteristics, with adequate internal consistency. In addition, the ULS-6 was negatively correlated with significant others support, family support, friends support, self-esteem and satisfaction with life. The results of the present study suggested that the Arabic version of the ULS-6 constitutes a concise psychometrically sound tool to assess loneliness.

Death Anxiety and Obsessional Death among University Palestinian Students

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the perception and relationship between death anxiety and death obsession among Palestinians university students. The sample consisted of 216 Palestinian university students enrolled in two universities in Gaza Strip (Al-Al-Azhar and Islamic University of Gaza) and one university in West Bank (Al Quds university of Jerusalem). Eighty-seven of the students (40.3%) were males and 129 (59.7%) were females. Age ranged from 17 to 30 years. Mean age was 20.4 years (SD=1.8). The researcher used three questionnaires; a predesigned socio- demographic sheet, death anxiety, obsessive about death scale. The study showed that mean death anxiety score was 60.39. The study showed that female student, and those live in Gaza Strip reported more death anxiety. Mean scores on the death obsession was more in students from Gaza. Mean scores of death dominance, death idea repetition, and death ruminations were higher in female’s students than males. There was a positive association between death anxiety and death obsession, death dominance, death idea repetition, and death ruminations. Clinical implications: Our findings that university students had high scores of death anxiety, and obsessive anxiety could be the continuous conflict in the area and repeated exposure to war trauma in the area. Such findings highlight the need for establishing counselling centers in the universities to help students on overcoming their death anxiety and obsession. Also, there is needed for training courses for students in causes and ways of intervention with such problems.

Prevalence of distress and associated factors among Palestinian university students living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDistress is a reaction in response to life changes that result in physical and emotional changes, including frustration, nervousness, or anger. We aimed to assess factors associated with distress levels among Palestinian university students. MethodsWe did a cross-sectional study measuring distress among students at the Birzeit and Bethlehem universities. We selected an equal number of students to interview from the two universities (Birzeit and Bethlehem). A total of 572 students were interviewed with an equal selection of sex, type of identity, and place of residency (ie, West Bank or east Jerusalem). Inclusion criteria at Birzeit University were an equal number of students who had Jerusalem identity and lived in east Jerusalem, and those who had West Bank identity and lived in Ramallah; whereas at the Bethlehem University, the selection sample was of students who had Jerusalem identity and lived in east Jerusalem and those who had West Bank identity and lived in Bethlehem. We asked 12 questions to assess distress during the 2 weeks before the interview with Cronbach's α 0·89. We assessed the association between sociodemographics variables and distress with bivariate analysis using SPSS (version 20), and did regression analysis of any significant associations. FindingsWe interviewed 572 students (286 students from each university). 288 (50·3%) were men and 284 (49·7%) were women. 302 (47%) students reported moderate to high distress levels, 374 (65%) were satisfied with their health, and 288 (50%) reported a desire to leave oPT after university. 309 (54%) participants reported that their fathers had university-level education, and 390 (68%) reported that their mothers were not working outside the home. Regression results showed that students who stated they were satisfied with their health were less likely to report high distress than those who were dissatisfied with their health (OR 0·37, 95% CI 0·24–0·57). Students who wanted to out-migrate were increasingly likely to report being highly distressed (OR 1·55, 95% CI 1·02–2·34). Students whose fathers had a university education were less likely to report distress than did those whose fathers had a lower level of education (OR 0·40, 95% CI 0·21–0·76). Students with non-working mothers were more likely to report high distress level than were students with employed mothers (OR 1·80, 95% CI 1·08–3·00). InterpretationHigh distress among Palestinian university students is negatively associated with health satisfaction and positively associated with a reported desire to out-migrate. Students with university educated fathers and working mothers reported less distress than students with lower educated fathers and non-working mothers. Although additional research needs to be completed into the direction of causation if it exists, this pilot study suggests that an association might exist between socioeconomic status and distress level among university students. FundingNone.

Waterpipe and cigarette tobacco smoking among Palestinian university students: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDuring the last two decades, waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS), also known as hookah, witnessed a global increase in use, especially among youth. Little information is known about the burden of WTS among Palestinian youth. A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of WTS and cigarette smoking and explore the associated factors among a sample of Palestinian university students.Methods1891 students, from five Palestinian universities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, completed a self-administered, web-based survey in 2014–2015. The questionnaire, which was based on the Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS), had questions on WTS and cigarette smoking patterns and socio-demographic and university-related characteristics. Binary logistic regression analyses were computed to investigate associated factors with WTS and cigarette smoking.Results50.9% of the sample was women. The mean age was 20.1 ± 2.0. Overall, 30.0% of participants were current tobacco smokers and 33.4% reported ever smoking tobacco through a waterpipe. The prevalence of current WTS (24.4%) surpassed the prevalence of current cigarette smoking (18.0%), with a significantly higher prevalence among men compared to women. The gender gap for WTS (36.4% vs. 12.9%) was smaller than that for cigarette smoking (32.8% vs. 3.6%). Binary logistic regression models for the total sample (men and women) revealed that men were more likely to be current waterpipe and cigarette tobacco smokers compared to women (AOR = 4.20, 95% CI = 3.22–5.48, and AOR = 10.91, 95% CI = 7.25–16.42, respectively). Geographic area of residence, faculty of study and self-reported academic achievement were also associated with the likelihood of being current waterpipe and cigarette tobacco smokers.ConclusionA high prevalence of WTS was reported among our study sample, and it surpassed the prevalence of cigarette smoking. Interventions to curb the practice of tobacco smoking among Palestinian youth should be tailored differently to WTS and cigarette smoking, be gender-sensitive and specific and target the regional variation in the smoking behavior.

Degrees of Psychological Well-Being among Students of Palestinian Universities in Hebron Governorate

This study aims at investigating the levels of psychological well-being among Palestinian university students in Hebron District, and adapting Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scales to the Palestinian environment, The researchers applied the Ryff’s Psychlogical Well-being Scales on a simple random sample of (200) students located at three Palestinian universities (Hebron University, Al-Quds open University, &amp; Polytechnic University). Validity was confirmed. Moreover, the reliability of the scale was confirmed by using Cronbach a coefficient. The study concluded that the degrees of Palestinian students' psychological wellbeing were moderate. In addition to that, the study found that there were differences in the degree of psychological well-being according to gender in favor of females, differences according to the type of specialization in favor of students in the human colleges, differences due to the economic level in favor of students with higher incomes, and differences due to the place of residence in favor of villagers students. Furthermore, the study found there were no differences in the average psychological well-being due to the sitting university. Finally, the study has come out a set of recommendations stemming from its results, such as the need to address welfare for Palestinians, especially in crowded cities, as well as the need to motivate university students in science faculties, and to reduce the degrees of tension induced by the difficult context in which Palestinians live.