Social, Psychological and Economic Impact on the Palestinian Martyrs’ Widows and Prisoners’ Wives رسالة ماجستير

Abstract

This study examined the social, psychological, and economic impacts experienced by Palestinian martyrs’ widows and wives of activist prisoners, following the martyrdom or imprisonment of their spouses in the northern regions of Palestine. The study shed light on these two groups of women in the Palestinian society, who endure difficult social, psychological, and economic experiences due to Israeli-occupation practices against their husbands, including killing or imprisonment. In-depth interviews with 25 women were used, 10 of who are widows of martyrs and 15 wives of prisoners, exploring the social, psychological, and economic circumstances that affected those women in their daily lives after losing their spouses, either as martyrs or as prisoners inside the Israeli prisons .Thematic analysis was used to analyze the results, revealing that martyrs' widows in the northern region of Palestine received social support from their families and close friends. However, they faced significant social challenges, particularly from their deceased husbands' families, including continuous interference in their personal lives and constant social surveillance, leading to feelings of isolation. Economically, these widows struggled despite receiving a government stipend and charitable assistance, which were insufficient to meet their basic needs. Wives of prisoners also experienced similar social support, but with the crucial difference of receiving emotional support and encouragement from their imprisoned husbands, providing them with hope for the future. Both groups endured profound psychological distress, including shock and deep sorrow, due to the loss or absence of their husbands. However, their religious beliefs played a critical role in helping them cope with these hardships. The study focused on the northern regions of Palestine which can help future researchers to investigate other Palestinian regions.