Psychological responses to blood vengeance among Arab adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to investigate the well being of Arab adolescents who live under the threat of ongoing blood vengeance, and to assess the impact of socio-demographic characteristics, cultural context, and family functioning as a mediators factors.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 100 adolescents in grades 6-8. Self-reported standardized measures were used to assess the participants' level of self-esteem (Rosenberg's scale), mental health (the Brief Symptom Inventory BSI), and perceived family functioning (the McMaster Family Assessment Device FAD).


RESULTS
The participants of this study demonstrated higher levels of distress and symptomatic behavior as compared to the Israeli norms. In a series of multiple regression, General Family Functioning emerged as the major predictor associated with mental health. Female participants reported a higher anxiety level than their male counterparts. Male participants, on the other hand, were more willing to continue the feud of blood vengeance.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings suggest that there are similarities among children and adolescents who live in war zones and those who live under a threatening blood vengeance. Family functioning appears as the major mediator of well being. Implications for practice are discussed.
Al-Krenawi
A
A
Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Slonim-Nevo
V
V
Maymon
Y
Y
Al-Krenawi
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001083:Arabia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology*