The Extent of the Impact of the Displacement Crisis and Its Reflections on the Psychological Health and Behavioral Status on Secondary Stage of Displaced Students in Kurdistan Region- Iraq

Abstract

The current study aimed at identifying the extent of the impact of the displacement crisis and its reflections on the psychological health and behavioral status on secondary stage of displaced students by an intended sample of displaced students in the northern Iraqi city of Dohuk. The sample of study included 700 secondary school male and female students from 12 to 18 years old, displaced from areas under the control of ISIS such as Al-Mosul, Falluja, Ramadi and Biji, in addition,  85 male and female teachers in the displaced schools, and 50 parents (mothers, fathers and relatives such as uncles). To achieve the goal of the study, both researchers prepared three questionnaires, one for students, the second for teachers. Moreover, a questionnaire answered by the students’ parents, whether they were mothers and fathers or family members. Study tends to use different approaches according to different contexts to serve study purposes.As the study begins with a theoretical background about psychological health and the behavioral status, and it uses both analytical and descriptive approaches. Both approaches were merged in some places, particularly when analyzing the results of the questionnaires and explaining the status of the interviews. he results of the study showed the negative effects on the psychological and behavioral conditions of the students, as the prevalence of psychological trauma is different intensity among them, as a result of their witnesses of severe forms of violence, ranging from watching clashes and missiles through television and social media sites, to the cases of death of a family member in front of their eyes, as a result of violence action, and the number of students who feel depressed, frightened and pessimism from the future. They think about leaving Iraq. The impact of these shocks ranges from the incoherence of some of them besides their losing their relationships with their friends, and even sometimes they think about leaving their country, in addition to the increase of their violence and aggression, their disobeying rules whether at school or at home, as well as the weakness of many moral values. This matter creates violent reactions for the educators and those who care for the students at school and at home, in addition to the weakness of their economical status and poverty. The study recommends building a strategic plan based on the Human Rights Agreement which guarantees the displaced students’ rights in learning, and it emphasizes on the necessity of building parallel remedial programs that guarantee the continuity of offering support at school and at home.