Mental Health in the Shadow of Conflict: Psychological Profiles and Pathways to Suicidal Ideation in Conflict-Affected Students

TL;DR

This study explores how psychological factors like depression and self-efficacy relate to suicidal thoughts among Palestinian university students during a time of conflict.

Contribution

The study identifies distinct psychological profiles and shows that self-efficacy reduces suicidal ideation in conflict-affected students.

Findings

Depression and anxiety are linked to increased suicidal ideation in conflict-affected students.

Higher self-efficacy reduces the risk of suicidal ideation by partially mediating distress.

Three psychological profiles were identified, with the highest-risk group showing distress and low self-efficacy.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify psychological characteristics associated with suicidal ideation among Palestinian university students in the West Bank during a period of escalating regional violence (October 2023), with data collected prior to the end of the war, a period marked by intensified political violence and collective trauma. The goal was to identify empirically derived psychological profiles of distress and coping using Latent Profile Analysis. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 900 students assessed depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, resilience, help-seeking attitudes, and suicidal ideation during the past 12 months. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), logistic regression, and moderated mediation analysis were employed to investigate the relationships between distress, self-efficacy, resilience, and suicidal ideation. Results: Results indicate that depression and anxiety are associated with increased 12-month suicidal ideation, but greater self-efficacy appears to reduce this risk. The mediation analysis revealed that self-efficacy partially explains the relationship between distress and suicidal ideation; however, resilience did not have a significant moderating effect. The LPA identified three distinct psychological profiles, with the highest-risk group exhibiting significant distress and low self-efficacy. Conclusions: These results highlight the significant mental health burden faced by Palestinian youth and underscore the importance of internal psychological resources, particularly self-efficacy, that are associated with lower levels of suicidal ideation. Enhancing self-efficacy may offer a culturally relevant approach for prevention efforts in politically unstable environments.

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