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

Harel, Zev; Kahana, Boaz; Kahana, Eva

doi:10.1007/978-1-4615-2820-3_20

Cited by 28 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…The study adds to the former studies that even if a stimulus that closely resembles the original, or first, traumatic event is examined, no indication of a higher vulnerability of war victims is found. As such, the study findings are in line with those of studies that stress the resilience and strength of trauma survivors (Harel, Kahana, & Kahana, 1993;Robinson, Rapaport-Bar-Sever, & Rapaport, 1994).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Posttraumatic stress in aging World War II survivors after a fireworks disaster: A controlled prospective study

2006

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Little is known about the effects of cumulative trauma and whether traumatized individuals are more vulnerable. In 2000, a fireworks disaster created the possibility to examine this issue among World War II survivors who were part of an ongoing longitudinal study. Between 1998 and 2000 posttraumatic stress increased in disaster exposed respondents as opposed to the control group. War-related reexperiencing and avoidance also increased. The strongest increase occurred in disaster-exposed respondents who had low levels of wartime stress and a slight decrease occurred in those who had high wartime exposure. This unique controlled observation suggests that disasters do increase the levels of posttraumatic stress, and that reactivation of previous traumatic events generally occurs. However, the vulnerability hypothesis was not supported.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Posttraumatic stress in aging World War II survivors after a fireworks disaster: A controlled prospective study

2006

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“…Several studies (Brom et al 2002;Harel et al 1993) found that Holocaust survivors were better in specific aspects of coping, social adjustment, and hope that their lifestyle was significantly influenced by their traumatic experiences, but they were overactive fighters. Another study (Landau and Litwin 2000) that examined differences between Holocaust survivors and older people who did not experience the Holocaust found that Holocaust survivors were more vulnerable compared with their peers in the control group.…”

Section: Theoretical Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sense of threat and coping strategies of Israeli older adults during a military operation

Rozenblat

Iecovich

2012

Eur J Ageing

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To examine what levels of sense of threat functionally disabled older people experience during war and the coping strategies they use to protect themselves; to examine factors that explain their sense of threat and coping strategies. A convenience sample that included 138 respondents who were functionally disabled older adults and received homecare services. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire. The majority of respondents stayed in their homes during the military operation and used a shelter during part or all the times when there was rocket shelling. The findings showed that a variety of factors were significantly correlated with sense of threat and coping strategies; gender and education were significant in explaining sense of threat, and living arrangement was significant in explaining use of shelter; while number of children was significant in explaining frequency of staying at home during the military operation. However, Holocaust survivor status, formal and informal support, and functional status were insignificant in explaining any of the dependent variables. Holocaust survivors feel no more threat compared to those who did not experience the Holocaust. Communities should be prepared to provide emergency services to ease the sense of threat of functionally disabled older adults during wartime and to assure their use of shelter, in particular those who live alone.

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“…The analyses of the importance of social network, social interaction, self-disclosure and social support for psychological well-being followed the general patterns found in the gerontological literature, indicating that those who have a caring social network and meaningful social interaction have slightly higher psychological well-being (Harel et al, 1993;Larson, 1978). Indicators of social support revealed, again, what is typically found in the gerontological literature--namely receiving attention and assistance is associated with lower psychological well-being.…”

Section: Stress Aging and Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 74%

“…The comparison of Holocaust survivors and immigrants in the U.S. and Israel on social network, social interaction and social support in a recent cross-national cross-sectional study Harel et al, 1993) revealed that survivors had more stable families (lower divorce rates) and somewhat more extensive social network and slightly higher levels of social interaction.…”

Section: Stress Aging and Social Supportmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Serving Holocaust Survivors and Survivor Families

Harel¹

1995

Marriage & Family Review

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This article reviews and discusses the characteristics and needs of aging survivors of the Holocaust. Journalistic and historic accounts have documented the gruesome details of the Holocaust and, to a lesser extent, the consequences of these harrowing experiences. Professional and scientific efforts in the immediate postwar years have aimed to specify and understand the mental health consequences of the Holocaust in survivors. Efforts have also been directed to aid their adjustment to the postwar years.The article addresses attitudinal and assumptional issues first. These include assumptions and generalizations prevalent in the literature concerning the effects of the Holocaust on survivors. Second, conceptual issues are explored in order to facilitate a better understanding of the nature and needs of victims of the Holocaust. These include a review of mental health consequences of extreme stress, the role and importance of coping style and coping resources, and the interaction of stress, aging and resources in later years of life. Next, this article offers directions for professional efforts aimed at aiding the adjustment to aging of Holocaust survivors and members of their families.

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

Cited by 28 publications

References 37 publications

Posttraumatic stress in aging World War II survivors after a fireworks disaster: A controlled prospective study

Posttraumatic stress in aging World War II survivors after a fireworks disaster: A controlled prospective study

Sense of threat and coping strategies of Israeli older adults during a military operation

Serving Holocaust Survivors and Survivor Families

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