Stress Factors, Social Support, and Violence in Israeli Society: a Quantitative Analysis

In this study violence in Israel for a period of 32 years (1950-1981) was analyzed, within a stress model according to which the probability of violence and aggression as a reaction to stress will increase when social support systems fail of malfuction. 3 variables were identified: Measures of Stress and Social Change (inflation, unemployment, income per capita, rates of cars); Measures of Social Support (rates of birth to unmarried mothers, marriage and divorce rates, rates of psychiatric hospitalization); and Measures of Violence (rates of homicide, robbery and all offences, and inward directed aggression/suicide). (56 refs)