Zev Harel

Psychological well-being among Holocaust survivors and immigrants in Israel

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 ones 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.

Coping with Extreme Trauma

In an effort to address research challenges posed by the study of coping with extremely stressful life events, this chapter will outline a conceptual framework provided by a dynamic consideration of immediate and long-term coping with trauma and will consider the relationship of coping to psychological well-being. Although we consider such a fremework to be useful and necessary, we will also point to limitations of current research in operationalizing such a framework, especially as it relates to extreme stress and long-term adaptation. Specific illustrations of the suggested paradigm will be provided from the literature and from our study of coping efforts of Holocaust victims during the period of victimization and by survivors in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

Predictors of Psychological Well-Being among Survivors of the Holocaust

In this chapter, findings from empirical research on predictors of mental health in three populations of Holocaust survivors are reviewed and discussed. Earlier perspectives on the effects of the Holocaust have been based almost exclusively on generalizations derived from clinical studies anchored in the medical psychiatric tradition. More recent views on the long-range effects of the Holocaust have begun to rely on findings from more systematic studies of Holocaust survivors that employed conceptual approaches anchored in the social and behavioral sciences. This chapter provides converging evidence from three studies of survivor populations concerning the effects of extreme stress on psychological well-being in late life. It substantiates the importance of poststress factors for the mental health of aging survivors of the Holocaust. More specifically, findings from these studies suggest that adequate health, higher levels of economic resources and social resources, along with type of coping and self-disclosure are important determinants of mental health among survivors of extreme stress. It is important, therefore, that mental health professionals acquaint themselves with the empirical evidence from more recent research so as to better understand the experiences and service needs of survivors of extreme stress.

Social Resources and the Mental Health of Aging Nazi Holocaust Survivors and Immigrants

A review of the literature dealing with the effects of the Nazi Holocaust documents a wide range of physical and psychic impairments suffered by survivors (Chodoff, 1966; ). There is a basic agreement among most of the writers that survivors have indeed suffered lasting physical, mental, psychological, and social impairments. As a result, many survivors are characterized as being severely handicapped in a variety of life situations (Chodoff, 1966; Eitinger, 1961; Krystal, 1968). Recent reports within the clinical psychiatric tradition continue to provide evidence of the scarring effects of the Holocaust on survivors (). The literature also suggests that following World War II, the survivors’ recovery was made more difficult because the families and communities, through which they might have found comfort and help, no longer existed (Davidson, 1979; Levav & Abramson, 1984).

Social Integration, Health, and Choice Their Impact on the Well-Being of Institutionalized Aged

This research examined the importance of social integration, compared with self-rated health and feelings about entry and residence in an institution, for the subjective well-being of aged in long-term care settings. Additionally, various measures of social integration were investigated and several appeared as more salient predictors of resident morale, life satisfaction, and satisfaction with treatment. These measures, which were directed to the nature rather than the quantity of social interaction, included being visited by a preferred family member or friend, receiving assistance from others, giving assistance to others, and participating in organized social activities.

War and Remembrance

As the dawn of the twenty-first century begins to rise on the horizon, the generations who were the product of the last five decades will look back on an era of world history characterized by archetypal forces which have counterbalanced the processes of creation and destruction of social systems and civilization. The destructiveness of warfare during the twentieth century has claimed over 40 million human lives, eliminated cultures, and ushered in the specter of the total annihilation of the human race with the advent of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, near the end of World War II.

A Framework for Understanding the Chronic Stress of Holocaust Survivors

Survivors of the Holocaust endured traumatic life situations that defy comprehension. The negative sequelae of this man-made disaster have been extensively documented (for reviews, see Kahana, Harel, & Kahana, 1988; Lomrantz, 1990). In particular, many survivors have been found to suffer long-lasting psychological distress. These after-effects of trauma have been generally viewed by social science researchers and clinicians as adverse reactions to a singular cataclysmic stressor that occurred in the distant past. However, the full spectrum of chronic stressors that long-term survivors of trauma had to cope with, and may continue to endure, has seldom been explored.

Social Integration and Mental Health of the Aged.

This research examines the effects of social integration along with health, age, marital status, and SES on mental health among 1727 urban elderly. Utilizing a path model these variables accounted for 38% of the variance in mental health. In addition to physical health, which had a strong independent effect, both the availability of social resources and their perceived adequacy made significant independent contributions. Social interaction, however, was found to make an insignificant contribution to the explanation of mental health.

Racial differences in social integration and life satisfaction among aged public housing residents

The effects of social activity, social resources, health, and functional status on the life satisfaction of black and white aged were examined, based on interviews with 330 residents of age-integrated and age-segregated public housing estates in Cleveland, Ohio. The results of multivariate analysis call into question previous conclusions that age-segregation is conducive to greater life satisfaction. However, the findings do lend support to previous research indicating that social integration has a greater degree of importance in determining the life satisfaction of black than of white aged.

Residential Choice and the Well-Being of Aged and Disabled Public Housing Residents

This research examined the importance of residential preference and perception of environmental quality, along with health, socio-economic status, and social integration, in determining mode among public housing residents. Participants of this research included a random sample of 427 aged and disabled public housing residents. Findings fmm this research substantiate the importance of residential choice and perception of environmental quality along with health, social integration and knowledge about resources and services for psychological well-being in public housing.