Leo Wolmer1, Daniel Hamiel1, Michelle Slone2, Maya Faians1, Meyrav Picker3, Tal Adiv4, Nathaniel Laor5. 1. Brull Community Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv, Israel Donald J. Cohen and Irving B. Harris Resilience Center for Trauma and Disaster Intervention by the Association for Children at Risk, Tel Aviv, Israel. 2. Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. 3. Donald J. Cohen and Irving B. Harris Resilience Center for Trauma and Disaster Intervention by the Association for Children at Risk, Tel Aviv, Israel. 4. Brull Community Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. 5. Brull Community Mental Health Center, Tel Aviv, Israel Donald J. Cohen and Irving B. Harris Resilience Center for Trauma and Disaster Intervention by the Association for Children at Risk, Tel Aviv, Israel Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel Child Study Center, Yale University, Connecticut, U.S.A.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Belonging to ethnic minorities is a risk factor for traumatized children. this study investigated the influence of exposure to rocket attacks during the 2006 Lebanon War on Jewish and two groups of arab Israeli students and the effect of implementing a teacher-delivered intervention focusing on resilience enhancement. METHOD: Children from both ethnic groups (N = 1,372) were assessed for stressful life events, symptoms and parental concern regarding adaptation before the 16- week program (t1) and after its completion (t2). RESULTS: arab children reported more severe symptoms at t1. the three groups showed a significant decrease to the same level at t2. Both ethnic groups differed in the level of parental concern and in the way stressful life events affected children's symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: the results suggest that school-based programs with teachers as clinical mediators could be a valuable, cost-effective cross-cultural model of intervention after mass trauma, moderating vulnerabilities of ethnic minorities.
BACKGROUND: Belonging to ethnic minorities is a risk factor for traumatized children. this study investigated the influence of exposure to rocket attacks during the 2006 Lebanon War on Jewish and two groups of arab Israeli students and the effect of implementing a teacher-delivered intervention focusing on resilience enhancement. METHOD:Children from both ethnic groups (N = 1,372) were assessed for stressful life events, symptoms and parental concern regarding adaptation before the 16- week program (t1) and after its completion (t2). RESULTS: arab children reported more severe symptoms at t1. the three groups showed a significant decrease to the same level at t2. Both ethnic groups differed in the level of parental concern and in the way stressful life events affected children's symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: the results suggest that school-based programs with teachers as clinical mediators could be a valuable, cost-effective cross-cultural model of intervention after mass trauma, moderating vulnerabilities of ethnic minorities.