Social Work Commons^™

Social Support And Psychological Distress Among The Bedouin Arab Elderly In Israel: The Moderating Role Of Gender, Sarah Abu-Kaf, Ora Nakash, Tsahi Hayat, Michal Cohen

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

In Israel, as in other developed countries, mental health problems are common among older adults who are members of disadvantaged ethnic minorities that are experiencing cultural and social changes. The main goals of the current study were: (a) to examine gender differences in the levels of psychological distress and social support among Bedouin elders, and (b) to examine the moderating role of gender in the associations between social support indices and psychological distress. We used a cross-sectional design, and independent t-tests and hierarchical linear regression analysis were performed. The study was conducted in homes and in social clubs and community …