The Connections between Attitudes towards Nursing Home Placement, Intergenerational Solidarity, and the Conflict between Tradition and Modernity among Three Generations of Arab Muslim Families in Israel.

The goal of this study was to examine three generations of Arab Muslims in Israel, to investigate the relationships between their attitudes regarding the placement of an older relative in a nursing home, intergenerational solidarity, and to ultimately proceed with the nursing home placement. The backdrop to this examination was the increasing sociocultural tension between modernization tendencies and the long-established traditions and norms in the Arab Muslim society in Israel. The sample included a total of 126 university students, as well as one parent and one grandparent of each student. All participants completed identical questionnaires examining the attitudes towards the nursing home placement of an elder relative. The findings of the study indicate a strong objection among the youngest generation, whose attitudes were more similar to those of their grandparents than to those of their parents. Psychosocial mechanisms in the Arab Muslim population, such as intergenerational solidarity, has been the subject of increased scrutiny and debate over recent years, given the intensive pace of modern developments, which has called into question the familiar norms, thus constituting a threat to the tradition that has guided the population throughout numerous centuries and generations.

War and Well-Being: The Association between Forgiveness, Social Support, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Well-Being during and after War.

Exposure to war can lead to numerous traumatic experiences affecting the daily lives and personal well-being of the civilian population. However, no research to date has examined the associations between postwar well-being and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, tendency to forgive, and social support during and following war. Authors examined a sample of 160 Israeli civilians who were exposed to rocket and missile fire during the 2014 Gaza War. Time 1 (Tl) started approximately one week after the beginning of the war and ended four weeks later following the first 72-hour ceasefire declaration by the United Nations. Respondents were re-approached by personal e-mail approximately one month after T1. A structural equation model design showed that higher postwar tendency to forgive, and social support, are associated with higher postwar well-being. It is notable that higher social support during the war had a negative effect on postwar well-being. In addition, higher posttraumatic symptoms and well-being during the war had a positive effect on higher postwar well-being. The study findings reinforce the importance of personal variables in postwar well-being. However, increased awareness of both social support and PTSD symptoms as "double-edged sword" resources is advisable, considering the different effects of social support and PTSD symptoms on well-being both during and after the war.

The Relationship Between Background Characteristics and Death Anxiety in Times of War: A Comparison Between Three Generations Arab and Jewish Families in Israel.

(a) To compare the levels of death anxiety between the Jewish and Arab population in Israel after the Second Lebanon War and the Casting Lead Operation. (b) To compare the levels of death anxiety between three families' generations: elderly parents, their adult children and their adult grandchildren and (c) to learn about the relationship between background characteristics and death anxiety in times of war. The sample included 172 trios of elderly parents (ages 65 and up), their middle aged children (ages 41-64) and, their young adult children (ages 20-40) living at the northern and southern of Israel. Three quarters of the participants were Jews and the others were Arabs (including Muslims, Christians and Druze). Participants answered a self-report questioner. Death anxiety levels were measured by the Carmel and Mutran's instrument (1999). In general, the highest levels of death anxiety were found among the elderly parents (p < 0.01). Regarding the nationality and the gender variables, the highest levels of death anxiety were found among the adult Jewish daughters' group (p < 0.001). Nationality was found to be the most contributive variable for predicting death anxiety levels among the three generations; the sense of mastery was the second contributor, to predict death anxiety levels among the three generations' participants. Elderly population, Arab population and women, are at high risk to suffer from high levels of death anxiety in times of war in Israel. Special attention should be given to this population groups.

Risk factors for DSM-5 posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among Israeli civilians during the 2014 Israel-Hamas war.

In light of current modifications in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), this study aimed to revalidate well-known PTSD risk factors related to terrorism and war in Israel, namely, proximity to the Gaza Strip, dissociative symptoms, acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms, and social support. One hundred and sixty Israeli civilians were assessed during the 2014 Israel-Hamas war at 2 time points: 1 week after the beginning of the operation (t1) and 1 month after initial evaluation (t2), using the DSM-5 PTSD Symptom Levels Scale (PSLS; Gil, Weinberg, Or-Chen, & Harel, 2015). A paired t test analysis showed significant reduction in the respondents' posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) 1 month after the initial assessment point. A structural equation model (SEM) showed that higher ASD symptoms at t1 and higher dissociative symptoms at t2 increased the risk for PTSS at t2. Conversely, higher peritraumatic dissociation at t1 decreased the risk for PTSS at t2. Proximity to the Gaza Strip, and social support, failed to demonstrate significant association with PTSS at t2. DSM-5 PTSS 1 month after prolonged traumatic exposure are strongly associated with high ASD symptoms at 1 week as a risk factor; high levels of peritraumatic dissociation at 1 week as a protective factor; and high levels of dissociative symptoms at 1 month as a risk factor. Theoretically and clinically the findings of the study further suggest that ongoing massive terrorism and war cannot be viewed or treated as identical to other traumas.

It is not their war: the impact of military operations on Philippine migrant care workers for elderly people in Israel.

OBJECTIVE: A majority of work immigrants from the Philippines came to Israel to fill positions involving personal and nursing care. Most of them were in Israel during the Second Lebanon War, the Cast Lead operation, and the Protective Edge Operation. These migrant care workers experienced these events no differently than did the Israeli population. The goal of this study was to examine the connections between the Philippine migrant care workers' exposure to the military operations and the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), death anxiety, and burnout among them. METHODS: A random sample of 147 Philippine migrant care workers was recruited through four agencies that employ migrant care workers. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire. RESULTS: Philippine migrant care workers reported high levels of PTSD, high levels of death anxiety, and low levels of burnout. Levels of exposure were positively associated with levels of PTSD, death anxiety, and negatively with burnout. A significant inverse relationship was found between interpersonal variables (self-esteem and sense of mastery) and the PTSD, death anxiety, and burnout levels reported by the participants.

Prevalence of illicit substance use among Arab adults in Israel: Findings from a national survey.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine illicit psychoactive substance use rates among adult Arabs in Israel. DESIGN AND METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 1200 Arab adults recruited nationwide via cluster sampling and interviewed using a structured questionnaire was conducted. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of respondents reporting illegal substance use with increased odds of use among males and those who were secular/not religious. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: These findings show for the first time the extent of illegal substance use among Arab adults in Israel and suggest the possibility for targeted interventions in certain population groups.

Tobacco and alcohol use among Arab adults in Israel: findings from a nationwide study.

OBJECTIVE: This comprehensive study focuses exclusively on adult Arabs in Israel and is aimed at examining tobacco and alcohol use rates and their predictors. METHODS: One thousand and two hundred Arab adults were randomly sampled via cluster sampling and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Forty-four per cent of respondents reported tobacco use while 39% reported alcohol use. There were notable gender gaps in use, as well as differences between Muslims and Christians. Odds of using both tobacco and alcohol increased with having a greater tendency towards risk-taking and more time spent partying. Odds of alcohol use also increased with having positive attitudes towards use, lower perceived risk and greater intention to use. CONCLUSIONS: These findings add a more complete understanding to the phenomenon of tobacco and alcohol use among Arab adults in Israel and carry important implications for future research and practice.

The impact of ongoing national terror on the community of hospital nurses in Israel.

The main goal of this study was to explore the connections between the exposure of nurses in Israel to national terror and the levels of distress experienced due to ongoing terror attacks. The data were collected from 214 nurses from various parts of Israel who work in three types of heath services (mainly hospital departments) and provide help to victims of terror. The nurses reported very high levels of burnout, high levels of stress and medium-to high levels of intrusive memories. Levels of exposure were associated with burnout, intrusive memories and level of stress. More professional attention should be given to hospital nurses who provide care for trauma patients.

Death and dying anxiety among bereaved and nonbereaved elderly parents.

This study examines differences in death and dying anxiety between bereaved and nonbereaved elderly Israeli parents, as well as correlates of these factors among bereaved parents. A total of 97 parents (49 bereaved, 48 nonbereaved) completed measures of death and dying anxiety and religiosity. Bereaved parents reported significantly higher dying anxiety scores than nonbereaved parents, but there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in death anxiety. Religiosity was unrelated to death and dying anxiety. Dying anxiety was higher among bereaved mothers than bereaved fathers. Death and dying anxiety were not associated with the length of time since the loss of the child or the nature of the child's death. Results are discussed in light of the difficulties that bereaved parents experience after the loss of their child. Implications for theory, for health and welfare professionals, and for policy are suggested.

Death and dying anxiety among elderly Arab Muslims in Israel.

Death and dying anxiety were examined among elderly Arab Muslims in Israel. A total of 145 people aged 60 and over were interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Nursing home residents reported higher death anxiety than others; women and uneducated participants reported greater levels of fear of death and dying than others. There were no differences based on religiosity. Death anxiety was related to gender and education for elderly living in the community, but social support and self-esteem were additional correlates for those living in nursing homes. The results of this study indicate that fostering a sense that one has a supportive social and familial network is important in decreasing death and dying anxiety among elderly Arab people. It would also be beneficial to provide information and knowledge that might relieve some of the anxiety they experience.

Daughters as caregivers of aging parents: the shattering myth.

This research study examines adult daughters' measures of coping in their roles as caregivers of aging parents, thus affirming Pearlin, Lieberman, Menaghan & Mullan' model (1981). The model presents the mental health of caregiver daughters as a function of demographic variables, role burden and stresses resulting from other relationships within the family, as well as personality variables such as mastery and self-esteem. The research examined 224 women in Israel and presented four major assumptions relating to the extent of the correlation between: a) the characteristics of the daughter and her emotional wellbeing; b) the stresses and role burden of the caregiver and her emotional wellbeing; c) the caregiver's self image and her emotional wellbeing, and d) gender role orientation and family support and the emotional wellbeing of the caregiver. Research main finding is that gender role orientation of female caregivers affects their well being. The findings indicate mutual relations between all elements of the research model and actually validate all of the four research assumptions. Findings show that of the mediating variables in the model, family support and male gender role orientation moderate the intensity of the stresses experienced by the daughter in her role as caregiver.

Seeking help from health and welfare services among elderly single women.

The current research is a pilot study that included 87 single women who responded to an announcement placed in one of the national newspapers and then filled out interview questionnaires. The study hypothesized three groups of variables for predicting elderly single women's appeals for help from health and welfare services: (a) demographic variables, (b) intrapersonal variables, and (c) interpersonal variables. The research tools were (a) a demographics questionnaire constructed specifically for this study; (b) a personal assessment of single life: chosen or unchosen, including a question regarding what single people think about bachelorhood/spinsterhood; (c) an approach to the institution of bachelorhood/spinsterhood; (d) self-evaluation questionnaire; (e) a sense of mastery over life questionnaire; (f) informal support networks questionnaire; and (g) an assessment of the appeal to health and welfare services for help. A special questionnaire was constructed, which included a list of health and welfare services. The research findings indicate connections among all the research variables. All the research hypotheses were confirmed. Special attention should be given to this one tenth and more of the elder population. It might improve the lives of those women and save Western governments a lot of money.

Helping direct and indirect victims of national terror: experiences of Israeli social workers.

In this study we explored the subjective experience and the meaning attached to it by Israeli social workers who provide help to direct and indirect victims of national terror attacks. A qualitative methodology, based on grounded theory tradition, was used to conduct and analyze interviews with 29 social workers from three types of agencies (municipal social services, general hospitals, and the National Insurance Institute) from various parts of the country. Based on the data, three main themes were constructed: (a) professional and personal functioning during intervention, (b) the immediate and long-term impact of intervening with terror attacks, and (c) the meaning attached to the social worker's role in intervening with victims. Overall, the findings show that the social workers experienced symptoms similar to those of secondary traumatic stress disorder (STSD) for a few days only, but in the long-term, they perceived their experience of helping victims of terror attacks as leading to personal and professional growth.

Relations between work stressors and well-being among nursing assistants in nursing homes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Nursing assistants undertake a variety of activities related to personal and environmental care. A review of nursing assistants' employment conditions reveals relatively low salaries, virtually no assessment or promotion system, and rarely incentives or rewards offered for excellence. This study examines nursing assistants' work stressors and their influence on nursing assistants' subjective well-being. METHODS: The research hypotheses were: a) Personal and job characteristics affect the subjective well-being of nursing assistants; b) Work stressors are negatively related to subjective well-being; c) Differences are found in work stressors and subjective well-being between nursing assistants working with the frail elderly and those working with the totally dependent; d) Social support proves to be a moderating factor of work stressors and contributes to higher levels of subjective well-being. The sample included 198 nursing assistants from various nursing homes in northern Israel (102 working in wards for frail elderly, and 96 in wards for totally dependent elderly). RESULTS: The main findings show that work stressors are negatively related to subjective well-being, especially role conflict and work demands. CONCLUSIONS: Findings describe a profile of nursing assistants' characteristics in nursing homes from unique point of view regarding Israeli culture.

Elderly people's attitudes and perceptions of aging and old age: the role of cognitive dissonance?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the research was to examine if and, how the attitudes and perceptions were changing during the aging process. The research sample included three hundred and eighty-eight elderly people between the ages of 65-92 who were sampled for the purpose of analyzing and comparing their attitudes and perceptions of old age and aging, in the present, to their attitudes and perceptions of these two concepts in the past. METHOD: The research tool was composed of two parts: (A) a short demographic questionnaire which examined the following variables: gender, age, origin, family status and subjective health definition. (B) the second part was essentially qualitative in which subjects were asked via an 'interviewer' to reply to an identical question relating to two different periods in their lives: in their youth (when you were a young man/woman) and today. The data received from the questionnaires was processed in two main methods: quantitatively-statistically and qualitatively-content analysis. RESULTS: The subjects' attitudes were categorized into six different typologies which were identified on a continuum: elderly people whose attitude towards old age and aging was negative both in the present and in the past were positioned at one end of the continuum. Subjects with a positive attitude towards old age, both in their youth and in the present were positioned at the opposite end of the continuum. Negative attitudes were more prominently described by powerful adjectives than positive attitudes were described by the subjects. For instance: 'Fear', 'Disgust'. In the description of the positive attitude only one powerful adjective was used 'Splendor and glory'. CONCLUSIONS: A significant correlation was found between subjects whose attitudes towards old age in the present were negative and those who subjectively defined their health as bad.

Self-esteem among elderly people receiving care insurance at home and at day centers for the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of the Long-term Care Insurance Law of 1988 in Israel has made it possible to provide services to frail elderly people in the community. This study compares two specific services that are offered to elderly people as part of the law: (1) help offered to elderly people by homecare workers, and (2) help offered in day-care centers. METHODS: The study sought to analyze the impact of the two social service approaches on the self-esteem of the care seekers, and included 300 elderly women (150 of whom received services at home and 150 at day-care centers). RESULTS: The findings showed that the self-esteem of elderly women receiving services in a day-care center was higher than that of elderly women receiving the same services at home. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that the provision of services in a social context is important in giving elderly people proper attention which increases their self-esteem, self-evaluation and sense of mastery.