Soleman H. Abu-Bader

Predictors of Life Satisfaction in Frail Elderly

Abstract This study examined the relationship between life satisfaction and physical status, emotional health, social support and locus of control in the frail elderly. A random sample of 99 low-income, frail elderly living in the community was interviewed. Almost 40% of participants reported high levels of life satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis identified four significant predictors of life satisfaction: Perceived physical health, social support, emotional balance, and locus of control. Physical health emerged as the most significant predictor of life satisfaction accounting for 14% of the variance. Social support, emotional balance and locus of control each accounted for an additional 6% of the variance in life satisfaction. All four predictors explained 32% (R= .57) of the total variance in life satisfaction. Implications for practice and recommendations are discussed.

Work satisfaction, burnout, and turnover among social workers in Israel: a causal diagram

This study developed a causal diagram addressing the predictors of work satisfaction, burnout and turnover among professional social workers in Israel. A random sample of 218 social workers completed self-administered surveys. Multiple regression and canonical correlation analyses were conducted to estimate a causal model that best predicts work satisfaction, burnout, and turnover among social workers. The results indicated that higher satisfaction, lower burnout, and lower turnover were a function of higher collegial relationship, greater supervision, adequate working conditions, greater opportunities for promotion, and Jewish ethnicity. In addition, higher satisfaction and lower burnout were a function of higher education and greater autonomy, whereas higher turnover was related to a lower salary and the social workers relative youth. Limitations of the study and recommendations are discussed.

The Impact of the September 11, 2001, Attacks on the Well-Being of Arab Americans in New York City

In this exploratory study, eight focus groups were conducted, utilizing 83 participants. A structured, but flexible, interview guided by trauma theory was designed to solicit perspectives on the im...

Risk Factors for Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The Case of Arab and Muslim Americans Post-9/11

This study examines the association between individual, demographic, and sociocultural variables as predictor factors for depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among 350 Arab and Muslim Americans in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. A multiple regression statistical analysis was utilized to examine the factors contributing to depression and PTSD among the study sample. Results indicate that age, education, marital status, access to support, and having children were the most important variables in predicting depression and PTSD among the study sample. Findings may provide the needed knowledge for practitioners and community service providers in assisting Arab and Muslim American victims in coping with trauma and may help in bridging formal and informal support systems that promote culture in a nondiscriminatory and mutually respectful environment.

The Impact of Acculturation on Depression Among Older Muslim Immigrants in the United States

Using a cross-sectional design, this study utilized a self-administered survey to examine the relationship between acculturation, physical and emotional health, health locus of control (LOC), life events and depression among a convenient sample of 70 immigrant Muslim elderly in United States of America. In addition to demographic variables, 5 standardized measures including the Vancouver Index of Acculturation, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD), Iowa Self-Assessment Inventory, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Geriatric Scale of Recent Life Events were utilized in this study. The results showed that about 50% of participants reported a score of 16 and above on the CESD scale, indicating a presence of depressive symptoms. In addition, most participants identified with their heritage culture compared to the American culture. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed 4 significant predictors of depression: cognitive status (β = −.34, p < .01), heritage culture (β = .35, p < .01), physical health (β = −.27, p < .05), and internal health locus of control (β = −.25, p < .05). These factors explain about 37% of the total variance in levels depression (R = .61).

Gender, Ethnicity, and Job Satisfaction Among Social Workers in Israel

ABSTRACT This study (1) examines the effect of ethnicity and gender on job satisfaction and job facets among social workers in Israel, and (2) develops two regression models predicting job satisfaction among Arab and Jewish social workers. A random sample of 218 social workers completed the surveys. The results of MANCOVA show a significant difference between Arab and Jewish social workers with Jews being more satisfied than Arabs. On the other hand, no significant difference between males and females was found. Two multiple regression models were developed. The first explained 23% of the total variance in job satisfaction, with two factors emerging as significant predictors of job satisfaction among Arabs: supervision and promotion. The second model explained 13% of the total variance in job satisfaction among Jews, with two factors emerging s significant predictors of job satisfaction: supervision and autonomy.

Resilience in Palestinian Adolescents Living in Gaza.

Objective: The pathogenic impact of ongoing political conflict on children and adolescents has been well-documented in the literature. The present study, by contrast, examined the factors that support adolescent health and utilized a salutogenic model to examine prevalence of depression and anxiety and predictors of resilience in a group of adolescents attending secondary school in Gaza. Method: There were 335 Palestinian adolescents (n = 335) enrolled in 11th and 12th grades in secondary schools in Gaza refugee camps completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and self-report measures assessing coping skills, self-regulation, optimism, parenting style, family sense of coherence, national identity, ethnic identity, and other demographic variables. Results: Participants with stronger national identity, stronger family sense of coherence, greater self-regulation, and more optimism reported less depressive and anxious symptoms. In a logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of resilience (minimal to no anxiety and depression, n = 135) were age, optimism, family sense of coherence, ethnic identity, self-regulation, and coping skills. Conclusion: These findings indicate that older age, optimism, perception of family seeing the world as comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful, stronger Arab ethnic identity, greater self-regulation and stronger coping skills promote adolescent adaptation and health. Salutogenesis frames information about how resilient youth living in high threat environments may respond to preventative community-based behavioral health interventions as well as treatment of depression, anxiety, and other psychological distress among adolescents living with ongoing violence.

Depression, Metabolic Syndrome, and Locus of Control in Arab Americans Living in the DC Metropolitan Area: A Structural Equation Model

Arab Americans have high prevalences of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and depression. Depression and external locus of control (LOC) may worsen MetS. We examined the relationship between depression and MetS with a convenience sample of 136 Arab Americans living in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Participants were surveyed with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control questionnaire and the Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Laboratory measurements were collected based on the components of MetS. A structural equation model was used to explore the relationship between MetS and depression through analysis of LOC. MetS was significantly correlated with external LOC (powerful others and chance), and depression was correlated with a weak internal LOC. Future study of the effect of LOC on health outcomes in Arab Americans may be used to mitigate MetS and depression in this population.

Muslim Americans’ safety and well-being in the wake of Trump: A public health and social justice crisis.

This study examined the perceived impact of religious discrimination and Islamophobia on Muslim Americans’ well-being during the 2016 United States presidential election campaign. Data were collected from a national sample of 1,130 Muslim Americans. Perceived religious discrimination (PRD) was measured using the Perceived Religious Discrimination Scale. Results of canonical correlation analysis showed that perceived Islamophobia was associated with safety (&bgr; = .45, p < .001), level of stress (&bgr; = −.25, p < .001), level of religiosity (&bgr; = −.11, p < .05), and employment (&bgr; = .11, p < .05). PRD was associated with preexposure to religious-based discrimination; &bgr; = −.12, p < .05), safety (.47, p < .001), level of stress (&bgr; = −.33, p < .001), religiosity (&bgr; = −.15, p < .010), and years in the United States (&bgr; = .16, p < .010). Results also suggest that some Muslim subgroups, such as women and older people, may face “double jeopardy” based on multiple stigmatized identities. When addressing mental health concerns in marginalized groups, it is necessary to link health with social justice and examine how social injustices may affect people’s well-being.