Psychiatry Research EG

This edtorial discusses psychological impediments to the peace process in the middle east. The World Psychiatric Association produced a statement in May 2002 regarding the escalation of violence in the Middle East and its consequences on mental health. The statement acknowledged the psychological trauma being experienced and the psychological consequences to be expected from chronic exposure to violence against civilians both in the Occupied territories and Israel and anticipated an increase in the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorders and emotional disorders of childhood. Less than a year after the issuance of the statement the region witnessed the US military aggression against Iraq, adding yet another conflict to the area which did not only affect the Iraqi people but also spilled over to an accentuation of violence in the Middle East. In June 2003 WPA cosponsored a meeting in Malta under the theme "The Role of Health and Culture in Conflict Resolution". The editor speaks of his contribution to the meeting. He highlighted the factors that contribute to the success or failure of the process, the impact of culture on negotiation and suggested that peace negotiations are an ongoing process that has to be enforces and supported beyond the bilateral or multilateral talks. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)