PALESTINIAN SOCIETY - Fafo

high degree of distress increases only slightly, from 19% in the
lowest age group to 24% in the highest. Among those who do
report prolonged iIIness, the increase with age is from 51 % to 59%.
This indicates that the main reason why the highly distressed
gro up increases with age is probably the rising prevalence of
prolonged iIIness. Although somatic diseases are known to be
strong determinants of psychiatric symptoms (Moum et al 1991),
the interpretation of this finding is not c1ear. Among the diseases
reported as prolonged illnesses, all may in principle include
illnesses that are symptoms of, or results of, psychological distress.
This is particularly so for musculoskeletal syndrornes and
for the category including mental disorders. On the other hand, the
symptoms included in the degree of distress index may weU be
expressions of somatic disorders. The frequency of high degrees
of distress among those who do not have any specific prolonged
illnesses is approximately 20%, regardless of age. This is a high
rate, requiring other explanations than somatic disease.
GeographicaI Area,
Refugee Status and Residency in Camps
The Gaza population reports lower leveIs of di stress than daes the
population in the West Bank and in Arab Jerusalem (table 4.16). This
is partly explained by the higher average age in the West Bank and
Arab Jerusalem, and partly by the fact that people in Gaza report less
somatic iIIness as well. However, results reported in other chapters
c1early indicate that Iivingconditions in Gaza are generally worse than
in the West Bank. So why do Gazans report fewer symptoms of
distress? One possible explanation may indeed be that people in Gaza
have a clearer sen se of collective meaning and common purpose. A
greater sense of cohesiveness, originating in a more traditional family
structure, may also contribute as a protective factor. The population
in Gazamay enjoy greater protection against distress as the perception
of an extemal enemy becomes exceedingly strong. Then again, the
explanation could weU be that Gaza residents are less prone to
recognizing and express ing symptoms of psychological distress. The
degree of perceived conflict in Palestinian society is high (see chapter
9), particularly amongst women in Arab Jerusalem, where living
conditions tend to be betterthan elsewhere in the occupied territories,
and this may be seen as an expression of distress.
Refugee status does not influence the degree of distress in
itself, but refugees seem to follow the trend of the population in the
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