This work aims to explore optimism, perceived happiness and life satisfaction in a group of Palestinian children living in West Bank urban, rural, of the Refugee Camp and Israel areas. Three self-reported instruments were administered to a convenience sample of children school aged (N = 226; 8-12 years old): Youth life Orientation Test (YLOT), Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS) and Face Scale (FS). The scores were analyzed with ANOVA test, and correlation test (r di Pearson). Gender and age differences were explored. Optimism, life satisfaction and perceived happiness characterize in general whole the group of Palestinian children. Little gender differences were emerging. The Palestinian children quality of life seems satisfactory both regarding optimism, satisfaction and perceived happiness. We hypnotize that this factors can reinforce in children the resilience and the positive adjustment to trauma. Implications for the clinic are discussed.
Keywords: Optimism, satisfaction, perceived happiness, trauma adjustment, Palestinian children, war.

Guido Veronese, Mahmud Said, Marco Tombolani, Marco Castiglioni, Optimism, satisfaction and perceived happiness in a group of Palestinian children in "PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE" 2/2012, pp. 119-132, DOI:10.3280/PDS2012-002007