Citation

Shamai M, Kimhi S. J. Adolesc. 2006; 29(2): 165-176.

Affiliation

School of Social Work, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel. michals@research.haifa.ac.il

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.adolescence.2005.03.003

PMID

16527601

Abstract

The study examines the pattern of relations between level of threat, political attitude (willingness for political compromise), and well-being (level of stress and life satisfaction) among Israeli teenagers in reaction to Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon. Participants were 419 teenagers from two residential areas: the Northern area (close to the Israeli-Lebanese border) and the Central area (distant from the border). The results show: (a) significant differences between the two groups on: political attitude (Center scored higher), on level of stress (North scored higher), and on life satisfaction (North scored lower); (b) a significant negative correlation between exposure to threat and political attitude; (c) significant negative correlations between political attitude and measures of stress, and a significant positive correlation with life satisfaction; (d) political attitude mediates between level of threat and well-being. Political and educational implications, and mental health policy are discussed.

Language: en