Research Article

Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects

Volume: 13 Number: 23 December 15, 2025
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Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects

Abstract

This study explores the traumatic experiences, religious coping strategies and future prospects of Palestinian individuals affected by Israeli attacks on Gaza started in October 2023. A qualitative methodology was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight war-affected participants from Gaza. In this research, purposive sampling was used to select participants who were directly affected by Israeli occupation in Gaza and had personally experienced war-related trauma. This research explores the psychological consequences of such traumatic experiences and the role of religion in serving as a coping mechanism. In the analysis of the data set obtained in the study, the themes of "Scars of War" and "Connecting to Life with Faith" were reached. The "Scars of War" theme includes the codes "Deep Wounds" and "Posttraumatic Stress Disorder". In the theme of "Connecting to Life with Faith", there are the codes of "Leaning on and Trusting God", "Trial" and "Looking to the Future with Hope/Not Looking to the Future with Hope". Participants reported severe psychological distress, exhibiting symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including intense fear, sadness, and hopelessness. Subjects' experiences included bereavement, injury, devastation, and exposure to constant threats. Despite the obvious challenges faced by the subjects, religious beliefs and practices emerged as important coping mechanisms. Perspectives on the future varied. Some participants had a positive outlook, expressing a strong belief in the imminent recovery of Gaza and the possibility of being reunited with their relatives. Others expressed feelings of uncertainty and hopelessness shaped by ongoing trauma and instability. The findings emphasize the dual impact of trauma and faith in the aftermath of war. It is clear that religious coping strategies have been identified as important sources of resilience. Furthermore, future expectations, particularly belief in a hopeful future, have been shown to have a significant impact on the healing process.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychology of Religion, Social and Personality Psychology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

December 14, 2025

Publication Date

December 15, 2025

Submission Date

July 14, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 13, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 13 Number: 23

APA
Kızılgeçit, M., Kurt, F., Şamlıoğlu, K., Toprak, F. B., Tacer, A., Gecit, M. B., Bektaş, M., Acar, T., & Güler, Ü. (2025). Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects. Van İlahiyat Dergisi, 13(23), 57-72. https://doi.org/10.54893/vanid.1741611
AMA
1.Kızılgeçit M, Kurt F, Şamlıoğlu K, et al. Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects. Van İlahiyat Dergisi. 2025;13(23):57-72. doi:10.54893/vanid.1741611
Chicago
Kızılgeçit, Muhammed, Fatih Kurt, Kemal Şamlıoğlu, et al. 2025. “Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects”. Van İlahiyat Dergisi 13 (23): 57-72. https://doi.org/10.54893/vanid.1741611.
EndNote
Kızılgeçit M, Kurt F, Şamlıoğlu K, Toprak FB, Tacer A, Gecit MB, Bektaş M, Acar T, Güler Ü (December 1, 2025) Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects. Van İlahiyat Dergisi 13 23 57–72.
IEEE
[1]M. Kızılgeçit et al., “Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects”, Van İlahiyat Dergisi, vol. 13, no. 23, pp. 57–72, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.54893/vanid.1741611.
ISNAD
Kızılgeçit, Muhammed - Kurt, Fatih - Şamlıoğlu, Kemal - Toprak, Fatma Betül - Tacer, Arzu - Gecit, Muhammed Berat - Bektaş, Mine - Acar, Tuba - Güler, Ümran. “Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects”. Van İlahiyat Dergisi 13/23 (December 1, 2025): 57-72. https://doi.org/10.54893/vanid.1741611.
JAMA
1.Kızılgeçit M, Kurt F, Şamlıoğlu K, Toprak FB, Tacer A, Gecit MB, Bektaş M, Acar T, Güler Ü. Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects. Van İlahiyat Dergisi. 2025;13:57–72.
MLA
Kızılgeçit, Muhammed, et al. “Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects”. Van İlahiyat Dergisi, vol. 13, no. 23, Dec. 2025, pp. 57-72, doi:10.54893/vanid.1741611.
Vancouver
1.Muhammed Kızılgeçit, Fatih Kurt, Kemal Şamlıoğlu, Fatma Betül Toprak, Arzu Tacer, Muhammed Berat Gecit, Mine Bektaş, Tuba Acar, Ümran Güler. Genocide Victim Gazans Arriving in Turkey: A Qualitative Study on Their Trauma, Religious Coping Experiences and Future Prospects. Van İlahiyat Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;13(23):57-72. doi:10.54893/vanid.1741611


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