Unveiling of shifts in life meanings for Palestinians in the context of the Gaza war 2023: a quantitative study

The study investigates the impact of the Gaza War on Palestinian university students’ sense of meaning in life, highlighting both psychosocial and existential effects of prolonged conflict. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combined quantitative survey data with qualitative interviews to capture not only patterns in mental and physical health but also students’ lived experiences and narratives. Quantitative results revealed heightened anxiety, trauma, and exhaustion, alongside disruptions to daily routines, declining academic performance, reduced happiness, and weakened social connections. Qualitative interviews enriched these findings, revealing the emotional burden of continuous exposure to destruction, shifts in values toward family and safety, uncertainty about the future, and reflections on life, justice, and identity. Students coped by strengthening family bonds, engaging in volunteer work, and deepening spiritual practices, while also expressing disillusionment with Western indifference and reinforcing their commitment to Palestinian identity and advocacy. Gender emerged as a key factor influencing both the intensity of challenges and the strategies students employed to find meaning amidst ongoing conflict.