The Relationship between War-Related Stress Resulting from the Israeli Aggression Post October 7, 2023, and the Prevalence of Poly-Reciprocal Family Violence among Palestinian Households in Hebron Governorate

The study aimed to explore the relationship between war-related stress resulting from the Israeli aggression post October 2023 and the prevalence of poly-reciprocal violence within Palestinian families in Hebron Governorate. It employed a quantitative approach, using a sample of 528 participants from Palestinian families. The results showed that the level of war-related stress was high among participants, with mothers experiencing higher stress compared to other family members. Additionally, families with lower incomes were subjected to higher levels of stress compared to those with higher incomes, with no significant differences based on gender or place of residence. Regarding poly-reciprocal violence, the results indicated that 17.2% of the sample experienced violence from multiple parties within the family. The results revealed that male children experienced higher levels of reciprocal violence compared to their parents, and the prevalence of reciprocal violence was higher in families residing in refugee camps compared to those living in villages and cities. The results also showed that families with lower income were more exposed to multi-party reciprocal violence than those with higher income. Finally, the study confirmed a significant positive relationship between war-related stress and exposure to, as well as perpetration of, multiple-party violence within Palestinian families in Hebron Governorate.