Resilience under protracted conflict and siege: a new paradigm shift

This study sought to explore the relationship between resilience as perceived within the Palestinian context, and individual, contextual, and psychosocial factors among adults living in the Gaza Strip. Secondly, this study applies the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale to the Palestinian population within the context of the challenges they are facing while living under extended sieges, in order to examine the generalizability of the resilience scale. Gender-specific bivariate analyses and multivariate linear regression were conducted to examine links between resilience, and diverse psychosocial and contextual factors. Males scored higher in resilience than females. Consistent predictors of higher resilience included, being male, employed, income, not living in a peaceful area, higher life satisfaction, and the Palestinian idea of resilience (Sumud). For the overall sample and males, hardiness was a positive predictor of higher resilience. For the overall sample and females, post-secondary education was a positive predictor of resilience. Psychosocial factors may act synergistically to foster resilience in the face of adversity, low socioeconomic status, and fear of living in a non-peaceful area. Our findings add to a limited body of literature calling for attention to contextual and psychosocial influences on gender differences in measuring and defining the dynamic nature of resilience.