Meyrav Shoham

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.

Psychoactive substance use among Arab adolescent school dropouts in Israel: a phenomenon and its implications

This comprehensive study is the first to examine rates of legal and illegal psychoactive substance use and their predictors specifically among Arab adolescent school dropouts. It investigates the links between sociodemographic, interpersonal, cognitive and personality characteristics and use rates. Four hundred and seventy-six Arab adolescents aged 12-18 from throughout Israel, who had dropped out of school, participated in the study in late 2004. Sampling was done using a cluster method in order to choose specific localities. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing substance use and other variables. Legal substances--alcohol and tobacco--were used by 36% and 30% of the respondents, respectively, in the previous year. Being male, non-religious and having higher behavioural intentions and positive attitudes regarding use increased the odds of substance use. The best predictors of alcohol use were gender and religiosity, each raising the odds of use by 3.5. The best predictor of tobacco use was gender, raising the odds by 12.7. The best predictors of illegal use, behavioural intentions and risk perception, each doubled the odds of use. These and other results facilitate a better understanding of substance use among Arab adolescent dropouts and can foster the development of appropriate prevention and intervention programmes for this underserved population.

Patterns of psychoactive substance use among Arab secondary school students in Israel.

The current study examines patterns and trends in the use of psychoactive substances among Arab secondary school students throughout Israel. Data were collected in late 2004 using self-report questionnaires. The sample consisted of 2,944 students, Grades 7 through 12. Participants were sampled using a cluster method from schools throughout Israel. Results indicate higher use rates among males and among low-religiosity adolescents, as well as a strong link among attitudes, risk perception, behavioral intentions, and substance use. The studys implications and limitations, as well as possibilities for future research, are discussed. This study was funded by the Israel Anti-Drug Authority.

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 childs 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.

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.

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.

Attitudes towards bilingual Arab-Hebrew education in Israel: a comparative study of Jewish and Arab adults

This study examines attitudes towards bilingual Jewish–Arab education among Jewish and Arab adults in Israel. The sample consisted of 1014 respondents who participated in a national phone survey in late 2006. Results indicate that Arabs are significantly more supportive of bilingual education in Israel than Jews. Positive attitudes regarding the importance and the status of Arabic, integration between Jews and Arabs and civil society were all predictive of positive attitudes towards bilingual education among Arab participants. The same variables, along with lower religiosity, predicted attitudes towards bilingual education among Jewish participants. Attitudes towards integration were the strongest predictors of attitudes towards bilingual education in both groups. Implications and limitations, as well as possible avenues for future research, are discussed.