Conflicting Identities: Challenges and Coping Strategies Among Multiethnic Youth in Israel.
Saved in:
| Title: | Conflicting Identities: Challenges and Coping Strategies Among Multiethnic Youth in Israel. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Malul, Shenhav (AUTHOR), Sokar, Shireen (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Loss & Trauma. Mar/Apr2026, Vol. 31 Issue 3/4, p702-727. 26p. |
| Subjects: | Ethnic groups, Group identity, Qualitative research, Conflict (Psychology), Statistical sampling, Interviewing, Descriptive statistics, Attitude (Psychology), Psychological adaptation in adolescence, Teenagers' conduct of life, Thematic analysis, Research methodology, Conceptual structures, Phenomenology, Psychosocial factors, Cultural pluralism |
| Geographic Terms: | Israel |
| Abstract: | For adolescents, developing a strong and positive ethnic identity is a crucial life task that significantly impacts their well-being. This task can be especially challenging for those from multiethnic families in areas with social divisions and political conflicts. This qualitative study applies the Identity Process Theory to better understand the social-psychological challenges and coping strategies employed by adolescents from multiethnic families (an Arab father and a Jewish mother) in Israel. Twenty adolescents aged 12–18 (60% boys; mean age = 15.2 years, SD = 1.9) residing in Arab localities in southern Israel participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences during the "Swords of Iron" war. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling method. The results revealed four main themes reflecting the challenges faced by these adolescents, as well as four main coping strategies. Collectively, the twenty multiethnic adolescents expressed difficulties navigating their conflicting identities, experiencing peer rejection, displaying negative emotions due to the political situation, and witnessing tension and conflicts between their parents. The coping strategies employed by these adolescents included flexing their ethnic identity, disengagement and avoidance, confronting the situation, and seeking family support. Although findings are based on a nonrepresentative sample, they offer valuable insights for developing interventions and culturally sensitive practices to promote effective coping strategies that may foster resilience in adolescents from multiethnic families living in conflict regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Loss & Trauma is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | For adolescents, developing a strong and positive ethnic identity is a crucial life task that significantly impacts their well-being. This task can be especially challenging for those from multiethnic families in areas with social divisions and political conflicts. This qualitative study applies the Identity Process Theory to better understand the social-psychological challenges and coping strategies employed by adolescents from multiethnic families (an Arab father and a Jewish mother) in Israel. Twenty adolescents aged 12–18 (60% boys; mean age = 15.2 years, SD = 1.9) residing in Arab localities in southern Israel participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences during the "Swords of Iron" war. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling method. The results revealed four main themes reflecting the challenges faced by these adolescents, as well as four main coping strategies. Collectively, the twenty multiethnic adolescents expressed difficulties navigating their conflicting identities, experiencing peer rejection, displaying negative emotions due to the political situation, and witnessing tension and conflicts between their parents. The coping strategies employed by these adolescents included flexing their ethnic identity, disengagement and avoidance, confronting the situation, and seeking family support. Although findings are based on a nonrepresentative sample, they offer valuable insights for developing interventions and culturally sensitive practices to promote effective coping strategies that may foster resilience in adolescents from multiethnic families living in conflict regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 15325024 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15325024.2025.2452917 |
