An ecological perspective of psychological distress predictors among minoritized populations facing a collective crisis: the case of Arab-Palestinians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel

Shira Pagorek-Eshel, Shulamit Grinapol, Raghda Alnabilsy, Haneen Elias

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The study examined predictors of psychological distress among Arab-Palestinians in Israel during COVID-19 from an ecological perspective. Participants (n = 665) completed questionnaires assessing their sense of danger, resource loss, social support, barriers to accessing formal support, social exclusion and ethnic discrimination, and depression, anxiety, and somatization. Our structural equation model accounted for 68% of the psychological distress variance. Individual, interpersonal, community, and socio-political variables were significantly interrelated, and associated with psychological distress. The socio-political context of Arab-Palestinians highlighted specific challenges and resilience factors. Results underscore the necessity of a holistic approach and context-sensitive policies to address psychological distress among minoritized populations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)210-230
Number of pages21
JournalSocial Work in Mental Health
Volume23
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Keywords

  • Arab-Palestinians in Israel
  • COVID-19
  • ecological perspective
  • minoritized populations
  • psychological distress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An ecological perspective of psychological distress predictors among minoritized populations facing a collective crisis: the case of Arab-Palestinians during the COVID-19 pandemic in Israel'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this