Political violence and mental health outcomes among Palestinians: The mediating roles of dehumanization and humiliation

This study examines the mediating roles of dehumanization and humiliation in the relationship between political violence and mental health outcomes characterized by depression, anxiety and stress among Palestinians. This cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted in October 2024 with 633 Palestinian adults from the West Bank. The sample was recruited online through convenience sampling. Participants completed Arabic versions of the Exposure to Political Violence Scale, the Experience of Dehumanization Scale, the Humiliation Inventory and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21. All measures were culturally adapted and validated. Ethical approval was obtained from the An-Najah National University, and informed consent was obtained. The findings revealed that political violence is positively associated with stress (r = 0.38), anxiety (r = 0.35) and depression (r = 0.34; all p < 0.01). Additionally, structural equation modeling revealed that political violence predicted higher stress (β = 0.66), anxiety (β = 0.83) and depression (β = 0.77), with significant indirect effects through dehumanization and humiliation (β range = 0.21-0.28; p < 0.01). Findings highlight the strong associations between exposure to political violence and poorer mental health, particularly when accompanied by experiences of humiliation and dehumanization. This research highlights the importance of developing culturally tailored, community-based mental health programs in Palestine that address the psychological effects of these experiences and promote resilience and recovery.