Author: Iyad Khamaysa*
The current study aims at identifying the traumatic loss experiences and social adaptation among the families of Palestinian suicide martyrs (Istishhadiyin). The study has tackled its topic as a multi dimensional phenomenon. To achieve this end, the researcher developed a 178-item questionnaire; divided into five sub-scales: The first sub-scale includes primary data about the interviewees; the second one includes general information about Palestinian suicide martyrs; while the third part includes the scale of the traumatic loss experiences with its various dimensions: (Martyrdom incident, experience and symptoms of trauma). In return the fourth part includes the adaptation scale with its four dimensions: (Personal, psychological, social, and life orientation); the fifth part includes a scale of special support with its three dimensions: (Financial, psychological and social). The tool of the study was conducted on a sample of (132) families of Palestinian suicide martyrs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, selected randomly. The sample constituted (66%) of the study population. Following collection of data, they were statistically processed using (SPSS). The findings of the study have revealed statistically significant differences in the traumatic loss experience among the families of Palestinian suicide martyrs according to gender, locality, qualification, relationship to the martyr, refugee status, year of martyrdom, exposure of martyr to Israeli violence and reception of martyr body. The study reveals that there is a positive correlation between age and the traumatic loss experiences. Moreover, the study shows that there are statistical significance differences in the social adaptation among the families of Palestinian suicide martyrs attributable to the following variables: gender, locality, qualification, family relationship to the martyr, type of family, year of martyrdom, birth rank in the family, exposure of martyr to the Israeli violence and the reception of the martyr body. In addition, findings demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between age and the social adaptation. Moreover, results have shown that there are statistical significance differences in support among the families of Palestinian suicide martyrs according to: gender, place of residence, locality, relationship to the martyr, refugee status, type of family, year of martyrdom, birth rank in the family and reception of martyr body. Besides, the study shows that there is a negative correlation between the traumatic loss experiences among the families of Palestinian suicide martyrs and the level of social adaptation, as well as a negative correlation between the level of support with its different types and the experiences of traumatic loss among the families of Palestinian suicide martyrs. In conclusion, the study ends up with several recommendations, among which the most prominent is the necessity of planning programmed of psychological, social and economic support to activate their role in society in the various activities, and to demand international organizations and governments to intervene immediately to release the bodies of the martyrs detained in Israel for its traumatic effects on the life of their families in particular, and on the life of the Palestinians in general.
Key words: Trauma, Suicide, Loss experience, Martyr, Adaptation
*MA Social Work, Department of Social Work, Faculty of Arts, Al-Quds University, Main Campus, Jerusalem- Abu Dies, Palestine. Research Coordinator, Taffouh Chartable Society, Taffouh, Hebron, Palestine. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
