The Role of Acculturation and Trauma in the Psychological Well-Being of Palestinian Adults in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between acculturation and psychological well-being, trauma and psychological well-being, and the moderating effects of resilience, social support, religiosity, cultural identity conflict, and perceived discrimination between trauma and psychological well-being among Palestinian Adults in the UK. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted. Participants included 161 Palestinian adults who were recruited through a convenience sampling method. Participants completed an online survey with questions on each variable of interest (as stated above). Associations between variables were explored using regression analysis. Results: A moderated hierarchical regression analysis found a statistically significant relationship between acculturation orientations and psychological well-being. A simple linear regression did not find a significant relationship between trauma and psychological well-being. At the main effects level of the moderated regression, resilience, social support, religiosity, cultural identity conflict and perceived discrimination emerged as significant predictors of psychological well-being. At the interaction effect of the moderated regression, both religiosity and cultural identity conflict moderated the relationship between vicarious trauma and psychological well-being. Conclusions: This study addressed a significant gap in the literature by focusing on Palestinians, exploring acculturation, trauma and psychological well-being within the Palestinian diaspora in the UK context. A population characterised by a unique historical and ongoing context. The findings of this study have important clinical implications. Specifically, the study suggest that Palestinians in the UK benefit the most from an integrated acculturation style , emphasising the importance of targeting mainstream and heritage acculturations equally in psychological well-being interventions. Additionally, this study underscores the importance of a holistic approach to psychological interventions for Palestinians, emphasising the need to incorporate various aspects to psychological assessment, formulation and intervention. As resilience, social support, religiosity have a positive impact on psychological well-being, it is recommended that these areas are explored further and promoted in clinical practice. Understanding ethnic identity development, addressing cultural identity conflict respectfully, and exploring experiences of discrimination are essential. Employing the use of validated and reliable measures as tools can facilitate discussions in areas individual may have not considered, find difficult or connect their distress to. Trauma informed care should consider the socio-political context and trauma (direct, transgenerational and vicarious) experiences. Adopting a critical lens and integrating social justice and human rights based approaches into clinical practice are advocated. Collaboration with community led organisations is encouraged to address the unique needs of Palestinians within mental health services. Finally, strengths and limitations are explored, and points for future research are recommended. Note: Data collection for this study took place between May – September 2023. Consequently, the research content is predominantly contextualised to before the socio-geo-political shift of October 7th, 2023. However, where relevant, there will be reference, discussions and points of consideration that extend the time frame of this study (i.e., discussion and conclusion).