The Psychological Impact of the Intifada on Palestinian Children Living in Refugee Camps in the West Bank, as Reflected in their Dreams, Drawings and Behavior

This study uses projective techniques, observations and interviews to analyze the way in which the events of the Intifada are psychologically registered and processed in the minds of Palestinian preadolescents. The Intifada is not only a political event but has also become a mental state and has affected the children's self image. The political conflict has been internalized and in this sense this work falls within the realm of political psychology. The psychological impact of the Intifada on the children is examined against a wider context: the psychocultural background, the psychological dimension of child development, the psychological effects of stress and the psychosocial implications of being a refugee.