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Psychological well‐being among Holocaust survivors and immigrants in Israel
Author(s) -
Harel Zev,
Kahana Boaz,
Kahana Eva
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.2490010404
Subject(s) - spouse , coping (psychology) , psychology , psychological adaptation , clinical psychology , immigration , personality , psychological well being , social support , social psychology , archaeology , sociology , anthropology , history
This research assessed predictors of psychological well‐being among 180 survivors of the Holocaust and among a comparison group of 160 immigrants of similar sociocultural background living in Israel. Four variables: better health, higher instrumental coping, lower emotional coping, and lesser social concern, were found to be significant predictors of psychological well‐being in both groups. Among survivors, these four variables, as well as being married, fewer life crises, communication with co‐workers, and not being resigned to fate, accounted for 52% of explained variance in psychological well‐being. Among immigrants who served as a comparison group, these four variables, along with a relaxed personality style and good communication with one's spouse, accounted for 36% or explained variance in psychological well‐being. Theses factors underscore the importance of current social and psychological adaptation for psychological well‐being among survivors and among older persons of similar backgrounds who did not endure the extreme trauma of the Holocaust.