Does self-complexity moderate the effects of exposure to political violence for adolescents?

Michelle Slone, Ilan Roziner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examined the moderating role of self-complexity (SC) on well-being (WB) and psychopathology among Israeli adolescents exposed to the Second Lebanon War (2006). Adolescents (N=584, mean age 16.41) completed a SC measure, Political and Negative Life Events (NLE) scales, Brief Symptom Inventory and Satisfaction with Life Scale. The theoretical model analyzed the function of SC as a moderator of exposure effects to political life events (PLE), while controlling for general NLE. Results corroborated the model with SC moderating the effects of the war-related PLE. Adolescents with low SC are at risk for damaged WB and psychiatric consequences from political violence exposure. This opens a diagnostic avenue for identification of at-risk adolescents in this socio-political context toward whom clinical programs should be directed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)659-673
Number of pages15
JournalAnxiety, Stress and Coping
Volume26
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2013

Keywords

  • adolescence
  • coping
  • political violence
  • psychopathology
  • resilience
  • self-complexity
  • war

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

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