Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Perceived Need for Psychosocial Services in the Context of Political Violence: Psychological Distress Among Israeli Mothers with Young Children

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Clinical Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current study investigated the association between mothers’ perceived need for psychosocial services due to exposure to political violence, and theirs and their children’s psychological distress. A representative sample of 904 Israeli mothers of young children aged 2–6 were asked to fill out a questionnaire about exposure to war and other types of trauma, psychological distress, social support, and perceived need for help. The results showed that mothers who reported a need for psychosocial services due to exposure to political violence had higher levels of exposure to political violence, depressive symptoms and more emotional problems in their young children than mothers who reported no need for help. Those who reported a need for psychosocial services also had less social support even when all other variables are controlled. Furthermore, Arab mothers and mothers with low family income perceived a greater need for psychosocial services. The implications of this study are relevant for policies of outreach to vulnerable groups in situations of ongoing political violence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Manual for the child behavior checklist/4–18 and 1991 profile. Burlington: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., Dumenci, L., & Rescoala, L. A. (2002). Ten-year comparisons of problems and competencies for national samples of youth: Self, parent, and teacher report. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, 10(4), 194–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, R. M. (2008). National health surveys and the behavioral model of health services use. Medical Care, 46(7), 647–653. doi:10.1097/MLR.0b013e31817a835d.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, R. M., & Davidson, P. (2007). Improving access to care in America: Individual and contextual indicators. In R. M. Andersen, T. Rice, & J. Kominski (Eds.), Changing the US health care system: Key issues in health services policy and management (pp. 3–31). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becvar, D. S. (2013). Handbook of family resilience. New York, NY: Springer Science+Business Media.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Bleich, A., Gelkopf, M., Melamed, Y., & Solomon, Z. (2006). Mental health and resiliency following 44 months of terrorism: A survey of an Israeli national representative sample. BMC Medicine, 4. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-4-21.

  • Bonanno, G. A. (2004). Loss, trauma, and human resilience: Have we underestimated the human capacity to thrive after extremely aversive events? American Psychologist, 59(1), 20–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bonanno, G. A., Westphal, M., & Mancini, A. D. (2011). Resilience to loss and potential trauma. In S. NolenHoeksema, T. D. Cannon & T. Widiger (Eds.), Annual review of clinical psychology (Vol. 7, pp. 511–535). Palo Alto, CA: Annual Reviews.

  • Cauce, A. M., Domenech-Rodríguez, M., Paradise, M., Cochran, B. N., Shea, J. M., Srebnik, D., et al. (2002). Cultural and contextual influences in mental health help seeking: A focus on ethnic minority youth. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(1), 44–55. doi:10.1037/0022-006x.70.1.44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chemtob, C. M., Pat-Horenczyk, R., Madan, A., Pitman, S. R., Wang, Y. P., Doppelt, O., et al. (2011). Israeli adolescents with ongoing exposure to terrorism: Suicidal ideation, posttraumatic stress disorder, and functional impairment. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 24(6), 756–759. doi:10.1002/jts.20708.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chu, A. T., & Lieberman, A. F. (2010). Clinical implications of traumatic stress from birth to age five. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 6, 469–494. doi:10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.121208.131204.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Conway, A., McDonough, S. C., Mackenzie, M. J., Follett, C., & Sameroff, A. (2013). Stress-related changes in toddlers and their mothers following the attack of September 11. The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 83(4), 536–544. doi:10.1111/ajop.12055.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elhai, J. D., Voorhees, S., Ford, J. D., Min, K. S., & Frueh, B. C. (2009). Sociodemographic, perceived and objective need indicators of mental health treatment use and treatment-seeking intentions among primary care medical patients. Psychiatry Research, 165, 145–153. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2007.12.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fairbank, J. A., & Fairbank, D. W. (2009). Epidemiology of child traumatic stress. Current Psychiatry Reports, 11(4), 289–295.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foa, E. B., Cashman, L., Jaycox, L., & Perry, K. (1997). The validation of a self-report measure of posttraumatic stress disorder: The Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale. Psychological Assessment, 9(4), 445–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galea, S., Ahem, J., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, D., Bucuvalas, M., Gold, J., et al. (2002). Psychological sequelae of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. New England Journal of Medicine, 346(13), 982–987.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gamino, L. A., Sewell, K., Hogan, N. S., & Mason, S. L. (2009). Who needs grief counseling? A report from the Scott & White grief study. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 60(3), 199–223. doi:10.2190/OM.60.3.a.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gelkopf, M., Solomon, Z., Berger, R., & Bleich, A. (2008). The mental health impact of terrorism in Israel: A repeat cross-sectional study of Arabs and Jews. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 117(5), 369–380. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.2008.01164.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, B. J., Hobfoll, S. E., Canetti, D., Johnson, R. J., Palmieri, P. A., & Galea, S. (2010). Exploring the association between posttraumatic growth and PTSD: A national study of Jews and Arabs following the 2006 Israeli–Hezbollah War. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 198(3), 180–186. doi:10.1097/NMD.0b013e3181d1411b.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hammen, C., Brennan, P. A., & Shih, J. H. (2004). Family discord and stress predictors of depression and other disorders in adolescent children of depressed and nondepressed women. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(8), 994–1002. doi:10.1097/01.chi.0000127588.57468.f6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harville, E. W., Xiong, X., Smith, B. W., Pridjian, G., Elkind-Hirsch, K., & Buekens, P. (2011). Combined effects of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Gustav on the mental health of mothers of small children. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 18(4), 288–296. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2850.2010.01658.x.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harwood, M. D., O’Brien, K. A., Carter, C. G., & Eyberg, S. M. (2009). Mental health services for preschool children in primary care: A survey of maternal attitudes and beliefs. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34(7), 760–768. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsn128.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, T. P., & Chung, S. Y. (1996). Help-seeking behaviours among child psychiatric clinic attenders in Hong Kong. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 31(5), 292–298.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of resources: A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. American Psychologist, 44, 513–524.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E. (2001). The influence of culture, community, and the nested-self in the stress process: Advancing conservation of resources theory. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 50(3), 337–370. doi:10.1111/1464-0597.00062.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E., Canetti-Nisim, D., & Johnson, R. J. (2006a). Exposure to terrorism, stress-related mental health symptoms, and defensive coping among Jews and Arab in Israel. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(2), 207–218.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E., Canetti-Nisim, D., & Johnson, R. J. (2006b). Exposure to terrorism, stress-related mental health symptoms, and defensive coping among Jews and Arabs in Israel. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74(2), 207–218. doi:10.1037/0022-006x.74.2.207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E., Canetti-Nisim, D., Johnson, R. J., Palmieri, P. A., Varley, J. D., & Galea, S. (2008). The association of exposure, risk, and resiliency factors with PTSD among Jews and Arabs exposed to repeated acts of terrorism in Israel. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 21(1), 9–21.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E., Johnson, R. J., Ennis, N., & Jackson, A. P. (2003). Resources loss, resources gain, and emotional outcomes among inner city women. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(3), 632–643.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horwitz, S. M., Gary, L. C., Briggs-Gowan, M. J., & Carter, A. S. (2003). Do needs drive services use in young children? Pediatrics, 112(6), 1373–1378. doi:10.1542/peds.112.6.1373.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ippen, C. G., Ford, J., Racusin, R., Acker, M., Bosquet, M., Rogers, K., et al. (2002). Traumatic events screening inventory-parent report revised. Retrieved December 20, 2008 from http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/pages/assessments/tesi.asp.

  • Johnson, R. J., Canetti, D., Palmieri, P. A., Galea, S., Varley, J., & Hobfoll, S. E. (2009). A prospective study of risk and resilience factors associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms and depression symptoms among Jews and Arabs exposed to repeated acts of terrorism in Israel. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy, 1(4), 291–311. doi:10.1037/a0017586.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, S. J., Kessler, R. C., Frank, R. G., Leaf, P., Lin, E., & Edlund, M. (1997). The use of outpatient mental health services in the United States and Ontario: The impact of mental morbidity and perceived need for care. American Journal of Public Health, 87(7), 1136–1143. doi:10.2105/ajph.87.7.1136.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, R. C., Andrews, G., Colpe, L. J., Hiripi, E., Mroczek, D. K., Normand, S. L. T., et al. (2002). Short screening scales to monitor population prevalences and trends in non-specific psychological distress. Psychological Medicine, 32(6), 959–976. doi:10.1017/s0033291702006074.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khamis, V. (2005). Post-traumatic stress disorder among school age Palestinian children. Child Abuse and Neglect, 29(1), 81–95. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.06.013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laor, N., & Wolmer, L. (2003). Preface: Posttraumatic stress syndrome in children and adolescents and the challenge of war, terror, and disaster. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 12(2), xv–xix. doi:10.1016/S1056-4993(03)00002-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laor, N., Wolmer, L., & Cohen, D. J. (2001). Mothers’ functioning and children’s symptoms 5 years after a scud missile attack. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(7), 1020–1026.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Laor, N., Wolmer, L., Mayes, L. C., & Gershon, A. (1997). Israeli preschool children under scuds: A 30-month follow-up. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 36(3), 349–356. doi:10.1097/00004583-199703000-00013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsey, M. A., Gilreath, T. D., Thompson, R., Graham, J. C., Hawley, K. M., Weisbart, C., et al. (2012). Influence of caregiver network support and caregiver psychopathology on child mental health need and service use in the LONGSCAN study. Children and Youth Services Review, 34(5), 924–932. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2012.01.022.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mota, N. P., Medved, M., Whitney, D., Hiebert-Murphy, D., & Sareen, J. (2013). Protective factors for mental disorders and psychological distress in female, compared with male, service members in a representative sample. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 58(10), 570–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Orford, J., Copello, A., Velleman, R., & Templeton, L. (2010). Family members affected by a close relative’s addiction: The stress–strain–coping–support model. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 17, 36–43. doi:10.3109/09687637.2010.514801.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pat-Horenczyk, R., Abramovitz, R., Peled, O., Brom, D., Daie, A., & Chemtob, C. M. (2007). Adolescent exposure to recurrent terrorism in Israel: Posttraumatic distress and functional impairment. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77(1), 76–85.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pat-Horenczyk, R., Chemtob, C. M., Abramovitz, R., Baum, N., Daie, A., & Brom, D. (2002). The Israeli trauma exposure and functional impairment. Jerusalem: Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pat-Horenczyk, R., Schiff, M., Ziv, Y., Achituv, M., Baum, N., Brom, D., et al. (2012). The impact of political violence on young children in Israel. Jerusalem: Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pavuluri, M. N., Luk, S. L., & Mcgee, R. (1996). Help-seeking for behavior problems by parents of preschool children: A community study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 35(2), 215–222. doi:10.1097/00004583-199602000-00015.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Radloff, S. L. (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report scale for research in the general population. Applied Psychological Measurement, 1(3), 385–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribbe, D. (1996). Psychometric review of traumatic event screening instrument for children (TESI-C). In B. H. Stamm (Ed.), Measurement of stress, trauma, and adaptation (pp. 386–387). Lutherville, MD: Sidran Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogler, L. H., & Cortes, D. E. (1993). Help-seeking pathways—A unifying concept in mental health care. American Journal of Psychiatry, 150(4), 554–561.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schiff, M., Levit, S., Schori, M., & Lawental, E. (2011). Anxiety symptoms and need for help among Israeli methadone patients in a war zone. Journal of Loss & Trauma, 16(2), 135–149. doi:10.1080/15325024.2010.519295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schiff, M., Pat-Horenczyk, R., Benbenishty, R., Brom, D., Baum, N., & Astor, R. A. (2010a). Do adolescents know when they need help in the aftermath of war? Journal of Traumatic Stress, 23(5), 657–660. doi:10.1002/jts.20558.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schiff, M., Pat-Horenczyk, R., Benbenishty, R., Brom, D., Baum, N., & Astor, R. A. (2012). High school students’ posttraumatic symptoms, substance abuse and involvement in violence in the aftermath of war. Social Science & Medicine, 75, 1321–1328.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schiff, M., Pat-Horenczyk, R., & Peled, O. (2010b). The role of social support for Israeli adolescents continually exposed to terrorism: Protective or compensatory factors? Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 3(2), 95–108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shanley, D., Reid, G. J., & Evans, B. (2008). How parents seek help for children with mental health problems? Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 35, 135–146.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherbourne, C. D., & Stewart, A. L. (1991). The MOS social support survey. Social Science and Medicine, 32(6), 705–714. doi:10.1016/0277-9536(91)90150-b.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skeat, J., Eadie, P., Ukoumunne, O., & Reilly, S. (2010). Predictors of parents seeking help or advice about children’s communication development in the early years. Child: Care, Health and Development, 36, 878–887.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanninen, H. M., Haggman-Laitila, A., & Pietila, A. M. (2009). Resource-enhancing psychosocial support in family situations: Needs and benefits from family members’ own perspectives. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(10), 2150–2160. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05080.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Werner, E. E. (2012). Children and war: Risk, resilience, and recovery. Development and Psychopathology, 24(2), 553–558. doi:10.1017/S0954579412000156.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolmer, L., Laor, N., Gershon, A., Mayes, L. C., & Cohen, D. J. (2000). The mother–child dyad facing trauma: A developmental outlook. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 188(7), 409–415. doi:10.1097/00005053-200007000-00003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zeidner, M., & Endler, N. S. (Eds.). (1996). Handbook of coping: Theory, research, applications. London: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel

    Miriam Schiff & Ruth Pat-Horenczyk

  2. The Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma, Jerusalem, Israel

    Ruth Pat-Horenczyk

Authors
  1. Miriam Schiff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ruth Pat-Horenczyk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Miriam Schiff.

Additional information

The study was funded by the Bernard van Leer Foundation.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schiff, M., Pat-Horenczyk, R. Perceived Need for Psychosocial Services in the Context of Political Violence: Psychological Distress Among Israeli Mothers with Young Children. Clin Soc Work J 42, 346–356 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-013-0471-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-013-0471-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation