The Relationship between School Violence and Resilience in Palestinian Children in the Gaza Strip

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between school violence and resilience among Palestinian children in Gaza Strip.

Methods: The sample consisted of 449 children selected randomly from the five localities of the Gaza Strip. Children completed the School Violence Scale, and Resilience Attitude Scale.

Results: The study showed that 20.18% of children reported school violence, 23.5% reported physical violence, 12.29% verbal violence, 28.76% self- defense, 14.12% violence toward things, and 22.33% reported attitude to violence. There were statistically significant differences toward boys in total school violence and all violence subscales. Total resilience mean was 57.3 (40%), challenge mean was 17.3, commitment mean was 15.16, and control mean was 21.4. The results showed significant differences in total resilience, commitment, and control attributed to gender for the favor of boys. The results showed that total violence was not correlated with commitment. Physical violence and violence toward things were positively correlated with commitment. While, verbal violence was predicting negatively resilience.

Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that Palestinian children were exposed to school violence which is another risk factor for children living in area of war and conflict. Programs targeting children, parents, teachers should be multilevel, community-based, and culturally situated and intervention must address the influences of historical, cultural, social, and political factors inside the Palestinian society.