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Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Measuring Attentional Biases for Threat in Children and Adults
Published on: October 19, 2014
Psychological responses to blood vengeance among Arab adolescents
A Al-Krenawi1, V Slonim-Nevo, Y Maymon
1Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Objective:
The goal of this study was to investigate the well being of Arab adolescents who live under the threat of ongoing blood vengeance, and to assess the impact of socio-demographic characteristics, cultural context, and family functioning as a mediators factors.
Method:
The sample consisted of 100 adolescents in grades 6-8. Self-reported standardized measures were used to assess the participants' level of self-esteem (Rosenberg's scale), mental health (the Brief Symptom Inventory BSI), and perceived family functioning (the McMaster Family Assessment Device FAD).
Results:
The participants of this study demonstrated higher levels of distress and symptomatic behavior as compared to the Israeli norms. In a series of multiple regression, General Family Functioning emerged as the major predictor associated with mental health. Female participants reported a higher anxiety level than their male counterparts. Male participants, on the other hand, were more willing to continue the feud of blood vengeance.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that there are similarities among children and adolescents who live in war zones and those who live under a threatening blood vengeance. Family functioning appears as the major mediator of well being. Implications for practice are discussed.
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