Social and psychological adaptation and its relationship to the quality of life of children in residential institutions in the city of Jerusalem

Abstract

The study aimed to know the social and psychological adaptation and its relationship to the quality of life of children in shelter institutions in the city of Jerusalem. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher used the descriptive analytical method due to its suitability to the nature of the study. The study community consisted of individuals residing in shelter institutions in the city of Jerusalem in the year 2024, numbering (245) residents according to statistics from the Ministry of Social Development and Welfare, while the number of individuals in the target group amounted to (155) residents who represent the focus of the study. The study followed a comprehensive survey approach, where the study tool (questionnaire) was distributed to sample members. A total of 150 valid questionnaires were retrieved for analysis. One of the most important results reached by the study was that the level of social and psychological adaptation from the point of view of children residing in shelters in the city of Jerusalem, had achieved a medium degree and a percentage of (67.98%) of the total degree, and it was high on the dimension of (social adaptation) and had achieved a percentage of (73.42%). The psychological adaptation dimension received a medium score, with a percentage of (62.52%). The results also showed that the quality of life level of children residing in shelters in the city of Jerusalem received a high score, with a percentage of (72.52%) of the total score. The results revealed the existence of a statistically significant correlation at the significance level (α ≤ 0.05) between social and psychological adaptation in its dimensions (psychological adaptation, social adaptation) and quality of life among children in shelters in the city of Jerusalem, where the total correlation coefficient value reached (0.866), which is a strong positive correlation. Based on these findings, the study recommended enhancing social and psychological support for children by providing counseling sessions for children to address psychological trauma and social challenges, and improving living conditions within institutions to make them more conducive to social interaction.