Knesset members' attitudes towards combat stress reaction casualties

The current study examines the attitudes of Israeli Parliament (Knesset) members towards CSR. More specifically, it explores the effect of political affiliation and background variables on the perception of etiology, policy and treatment of CSR casualties. Knesset members (N = 69) filled out questionnaires querying their attitudes towards CSR and their background. Results indicated that while most Knesset members attributed CSR to external factors, those affiliated with the right wing considered internal causes more relevant than those on the left. Moreover, while Knesset members did not differ in the distance from the CSR casualty and in attitudes towards treatment approaches, they did differ in their views of the social restrictions that should be imposed on the casualties. The implication of background variables, mainly ideology and personal encounter with casualties in attitudes towards CSR is discussed.