Clinical Psychology

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    IMPACT OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND TRAUMATIC EVENTS ON MENTAL HEALTH AMONG ADULTS IN THE NORTHERN TRIANGLE
    (An-Najah National University, 2025-09-11) Mahajni, Hiba Ibrahem Nabeeh
    This study examines the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and traumatic events on mental health among adults in the Northern Triangle region. The study aims to understand the lived experiences of trauma survivors, identify barriers to mental health care access, and explore coping mechanisms and resilience factors. The study employs a phenomenological research design, collecting data through semi-structured interviews with 23 participants from three mental health centers in the Northern Triangle. All participants have documented exposure to ACEs and are receiving mental health services for trauma-related symptoms. The study reveals universal exposure to multiple forms of childhood trauma, with 100% of participants experiencing physical and emotional abuse, 39.1% reporting sexual abuse, and 91.3% experiencing neglect. Mental health impacts are severe and pervasive, with 100% prevalence of anxiety disorders, 100% experiencing depression, 87% reporting sleep and eating disorders, and 69.6% having suicidal ideation. Participants provide unanimous support for expanding mental health centers (100%), implementing school-based mental health programs (95.7%), launching community awareness campaigns (91.3%), and providing teacher training (87.0%). Additional recommendations include developing home-based services (82.6% support) and establishing financial support systems for treatment access (78.3% support). The study emphasizes the urgent need for culturally sensitive, trauma-informed interventions that address systemic barriers while building on community strengths and resilience factors.
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    MARITAL QUALITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SYMPTOMS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS AMONG MOTHERS OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN IN NABLUS GOVERNORATE
    (An-Najah National University, 2025-07-16) Nasrallah, Lama Yousef
    The study aimed to identify marital quality and its relationship to symptoms of psychological disorders among mothers of autistic children in Nablus Governorate. In addition to examine the effect of demographic variables of (child's gender, mother's age, child's age, educational qualification, severity of autism diagnosis, and marital status) on marital quality and its relationship to symptoms of psychological disorders. To achieve the study purpose, marital quality and psychological disorders scales were used. The indicators of the validity and reliability of the study tools were confirmed, and the study sample consisted of (97) mothers of autistic children, and the descriptive correlational approach was used. The results indicated the presence of an inverse relationship, meaning that the higher the marital quality, the lower the psychological disorders. Marital quality was average, and psychological disorders (anxiety, depression, stress) were low. There were no differences in the study sample’s attitudes towards marital quality and its relationship to psychological disorders according to the variables of the child’s gender, mother’s age, child’s age, educational qualification, and marital status. Based on the results reached by the study, a number of recommendations were made, including conducting more research on other psychological and social factors that may have an impact and increase marital quality and reduce psychological disorders among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder.
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    PSYCHOMETRIC PROPERTIES AND FACTORIAL STRUCTURE OF LEARNING DISABILITY SCALE WITHIN THE PALESTINIAN CONTEXT
    (An-Najah National University, 2025-07-17) Shtawi, Rania
    This study investigates the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the Learning Disabilities Evaluation Scale – Fourth Edition (LDES-4) within the Palestinian context. The scale comprises 88 items distributed across seven subscales: listening, thinking, speaking, reading, writing, mathematics, and memory. The scale was translated into Arabic and culturally adapted to ensure its suitability for use in the Palestinian educational environment. The study sample consisted of 400 individuals residing in the West Bank, selected through stratified random sampling from five educational districts: Nablus, Hebron, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Tulkarm. The scale was administered to teachers (resource room, Arabic language, and mathematics) through direct communication and professional group distribution. The findings revealed that the LDES-4 demonstrates strong psychometric properties in the Palestinian context. Exploratory factor analysis identified four primary factors that reinforced the overall construct validity of the scale. High correlation coefficients and reliability indices were recorded, with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging between 0.841 and 0.984, indicating a high degree of internal consistency and scientific validity. Moreover, no statistically significant differences were found in participants’ responses based on gender, age, or geographic location, which affirms the stability of the scale across demographic groups. The subscales related to mathematics and spelling exhibited relatively higher difficulty levels compared to those of thinking and speaking. These results underscore the reliability and validity of the LDES-4 as an effective tool for diagnosing learning disabilities, supporting its application in educational assessment and strategic planning. The study recommends the broader use of the scale for evaluating learning difficulties among Palestinian students and suggests the development of training programs for teachers and special education professionals on its administration and interpretation to ensure best practices in the identification and diagnosis of learning disabilities.
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    PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT OF CO-EDUCATIONAL VERSUS NON CO-EDUCATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS TOWARD COPING WITH UNIVERSITY LIFE FOR SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS AT AN-NAJAH NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
    (An-Najah National University, 2025-07-10) Agbaria, Nagam
    Background: For many years, people have questioned whether co-educational schools are more effective than single-sex schools. The topic is critical since it directly influences kids' futures and intersects with critical areas such as academic success, job choices, and social relationships. Aims: This study investigates the psychological effect of co-educational versus non-co-educational secondary schools toward coping with university life for second- year students at Anajah national university . Methods: A quantitative approach is used to fulfill the study's objective. The researcher selected the sample through a convenient sampling method from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences. About 294 students were selected, divided as 147 students in Co-Educational Versus 147 students in Non-Co-Educational secondary schools. Results: Results reveal four key findings. First, co-educational students consistently reported lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, while non-co-educational students exhibited markedly higher rates of moderate to severe symptoms. Second, co-educational students demonstrated significantly better coping abilities, as evidenced by higher mean ranks and a statistically significant Mann-Whitney U value. Third, coping strategies were found to be strongly related to mental health outcomes in both school types, with more pronounced correlations in non-co-educational schools, suggesting that ineffective coping may exacerbate psychological distress in these settings. Finally, age and income variables had a significant association with mental health issues and coping levels in co-educational schools, whereas gender and place of residence did not yield notable differences. Conclusion: Co-educational schools have a more supportive environment for students' mental health compared with non-co-educational schools. Findings indicate that co-educational students experience lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, while non-co-educational students report higher rates of psychological distress. Additionally, co-educational students demonstrate significantly better coping abilities, highlight the protective role of mixed-gender environments in easing university transition. Strong correlations between coping strategies and mental health outcomes were observed, particularly in non-co-educational schools, where ineffective coping exacerbates distress. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions in non-co-educational settings to enhance coping skills and reduce psychological stress.
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    VISUALLY IMPAIRED ADULTS' EMOTIONAL MATURITY AND PERCEIVED LONELINESS
    (An-Najah National University, 2024-03-11) Sulieman, Ayat Ali
    This study investigates the relationship between emotional maturity and perceived loneliness among Arab individuals aged eighteen and above with visual impairment in Israel and the West Bank, comparing them to sighted individuals. A total of 231 participants, comprising 193 sighted and 38 visually impaired individuals, were included in the study. Emotional maturity and perceived loneliness were assessed using the UCLA Loneliness Scale and The Emotional Maturity Scale. Data were collected through social media, local welfare institutions, and personal social networks and analyzed using the Welch T-test. The results indicate a significant inverse relationship between emotional maturity and perceived loneliness. Moreover, there were notable differences in emotional maturity and perceived loneliness levels between the visually impaired and sighted participants, particularly in terms of social maladjustment and regression. However, no significant differences were found in emotional instability and personality disintegration. This study sheds light on the emotional and social challenges faced by visually impaired individuals, highlighting the need for tailored interventions and support systems to promote emotional growth, reduce loneliness, and enhance overall well-being.