The Relationships between Mental Health Problems and Family Coping Strategies among Palestinian in the Gaza Strip

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate mental health problems and family coping strategies among Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Methods: The sample consisted of 449 subjects. The age ranged from 21 to 60 years with mean age 41.5 years. Participants completed Hopkins Symptoms Checklist Scale and Family-Oriented Coping Scale support scale.

Results: The study showed than 52.6% had anxiety, and 50.6% had depression. Females scored more anxiety and depression than males. Mental health symptoms were more in family with family monthly income $300 and less, and in families with 8 and more children. The results showed that mean total family coping strategy was 107.28. Males were significantly reported more coping strategies, including acquiring social support, reframing, seeking spiritual support, and mobilizing family to acquire and accept help. Total HSCL score was negatively correlated with total family coping strategies, acquiring social support, reframing, seeking spiritual support, and positive appraisal.

Conclusion: The study reported high rates of anxiety and depression which had negative impact on Palestinian families coping strategies. Psychologists, educators, social workers and community workers should support families to identify shortcomings in their coping and to help develop their latent resources.