American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Vol 96(5), 2026, 639-647; doi:10.1037/ort0000873
This study examines the coping mechanisms employed by Palestinians in Gaza during the 2023–2024 ongoing Israeli war against Gaza. Focusing on 30 refugees from Rafah, the research highlights the importance of religious faith, social support, and active coping strategies such as problem-solving, debriefing, and behavioral engagement in building resilience. Through semistructured interviews, thematic content analysis revealed that positive religious coping and social networks play a crucial role in helping participants endure the psychological challenges during the war. In contrast, avoidance coping was found to exacerbate distress. The study highlights the need for comprehensive mental health interventions that strengthen active coping mechanisms and the importance of community resilience in conflict zones. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)