Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Positive Psychology Research in Israel: Current Reality and Future Vision

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The International Handbook of Positive Psychology

  • 1472 Accesses

Abstract

The Middle East has been exposed to armed conflict, war, invasion, and terrorism for many years, and therefore has been considered to be a natural research field for studying the impact of political violence on well-being and mental health. For most of the last two decades, since the positive psychology movement began, the study of positive psychology in the Middle East lagged behind that of war-related psychopathology in both volume and complexity. However, multiple political and cultural transitions in the region in recent years have led to a growing interest in research and practice on positive psychology. Much of the research has been conducted in Israel, especially in the educational realm. The present chapter reviews pioneering studies of positive psychology in the Middle East, describes the positive-education revolution in the educational system of Israel, and discusses the school as the optimal setting for strengthening the mental health and wellbeing of children in war-torn areas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdel-Khalek, A., & Snyder, C. R. (2007). Correlates and predictors of an Arabic translation of the Snyder Hope scale. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 2, 228–235. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760701552337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bouskila-Yam, O., & Kluger, A. N. (2011). Strength-based performance appraisal and goal setting. Human Resource Management Review, 21, 137–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2010.09.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brannan, D., Biswas-Diener, R., Mohr, C. D., Mortazavi, S., & Stein, N. (2013). Friends and family: A cross-cultural investigation of social support and subjective Well-being among college students. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 8, 65–75. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2012.743573

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dabashi, H. (2012). The Arab spring: The end of post colonialism. Zed Books Ltd..

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (2000). Subjective Well-being: The science of happiness and a proposal for a national index. American Psychologist, 55, 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.34

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eldor, L., & Shoshani, A. (2016). Caring relationships in school staff: Exploring the link between compassion and teacher work engagement. Teaching and Teacher Education, 59, 126–136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2016.06.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eldor, L., & Shoshani, A. (2017). Are you being served? The relationship between school climate for service and Teachers’ engagement, satisfaction, and intention to leave: A moderated mediation model. The Journal of Psychology, 151, 359–378. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980.2017.1291488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L. (1998). What good are positive emotions? Review of General Psychology, 2, 300–319. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.2.3.300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56, 218–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.56.3.218

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freidlin, P., Littman-Ovadia, H., & Niemiec, R. M. (2017). Positive psychopathology: Social anxiety via character strengths underuse and overuse. Personality and Individual Differences, 108, 50–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghorbani, N., Watson, P. J., & Hargis, M. B. (2008). Integrative self-knowledge scale: Correlations and incremental validity of a cross-cultural measure developed in Iran and the United States. The Journal of Psychology, 142, 395–412. https://doi.org/10.3200/JRPL.142.4.395-412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guttmann-Steinmetz, S., Shoshani, A., Farhan, K., Aliman, M., & Hirschberger, G. (2012). Living in the crossfire: Effects of exposure to political violence on Palestinian and Israeli mothers and children. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 36, 71–78. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025411406861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E., Johnson, R. J., Canetti, D., Palmieri, P. A., Hall, B. J., Lavi, I., & Galea, S. (2012). Can people remain engaged and vigorous in the face of trauma? Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, 75, 60–75. https://doi.org/10.1521/psyc.2012.75.1.60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E., Palmieri, P. A., Johnson, R. J., Canetti-Nisim, D., Hall, B. J., & Galea, S. (2009). Trajectories of resilience, resistance, and distress during ongoing terrorism: The case of Jews and Arabs in Israel. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 138–148. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Israel-Cohen, Y., & Kaplan, O. (2016). Traumatic stress during population-wide exposure to trauma in Israel: Gender as a moderator of the effects of marital status and social support. Stress and Health, 32(5), 636–640. https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.2647/full

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Israel-Cohen, Y., Kaplan, O., Noy, S., & Kashy-Rosenbaum, G. (2016). Religiosity as a moderator of self-efficacy and social support in predicting traumatic stress among combat soldiers. Journal of Religion and Health, 55(4), 1160–1171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Israel-Cohen, Y., Kashy-Rosenbaum, G., & Kaplan, O. (2014). High positive affect shortly after missile attacks and the heightened risk of posttraumatic stress disorder among Israeli adolescents. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 27(3), 375–378. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21912/full

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Israel-Cohen, Y., Kashy-Rosenbaum, G., & Kaplan, O. (2016a). A study of subjective Well-being, resilience, and risk of PTSD among Israeli adolescents exposed to terrorism. Social Inquiry into Well-Being, 2(2), 24–33. https://doi.org/10.13165/SIIW-16-2-2-03

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Israel-Cohen, Y., Kashy-Rosenbaum, G., & Kaplan, O. (2016b). Acute stress reaction and positive future orientation as predictors of PTSD among Israeli adolescents exposed to missile attacks. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 2(4), 361. https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000096

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Israel-Cohen, Y., Uzefovsky, F., Kashy-Rosenbaum, G., & Kaplan, O. (2015). Gratitude and PTSD symptoms among Israeli youth exposed to missile attacks: Examining the mediation of positive and negative affect and life satisfaction. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 10, 99–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2014.927910

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Itzchakov, G., & Kluger, A. N. (2017). The listening circle: a simple tool to enhance listening and reduce extremism among employees. Organizational Dynamics, 46(4), 220–226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orgdyn.2017.05.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kam, E. (2014). The Middle East as an intelligence challenge. Strategic Assessment, 16, 89–101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kern, M. L., Waters, L., Adler, A., & White, M. (2014). Assessing employee wellbeing in schools using a multifaceted approach: Associations with physical health, life satisfaction, and professional thriving. Psychology, 5, 500–513. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2014.56060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klingman, A., Sagi, A., & Raviv, A. (1993). The effect of war on Israeli children. In A. Leavitt & N. A. Fox (Eds.), The psychological effects of war and violence on children (pp. 75–92). Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kluger, A. N., & Nir, D. (2010). The feedforward interview. Human Resource Management Review, 20, 235–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2009.08.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H. G., Al Zaben, F., & Khalifa, D. A. (2012). Religion, spirituality and mental health in the west and the Middle East. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 5, 180–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2012.04.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kormi-Nouri, R., Farahani, M. N., & Trost, K. (2013). The role of positive and negative affect on Well-being amongst Swedish and Iranian university students. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 8, 435–443. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2013.823511

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuppens, P., Realo, A., & Diener, E. (2008). The role of positive and negative emotions in life satisfaction judgment across nations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95, 66–75. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.95.1.66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavy, S., & Littman-Ovadia, H. (2017). My better self: Using strengths at work and work productivity, organizational citizenship behavior, and satisfaction. Journal of Career Development, 44, 95–109. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845316634056

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavy, S., Littman-Ovadia, H., & Boiman-Meshita, M. (2016). The wind beneath my wings: Effects of social support on daily use of character strengths at work. Journal of Career Assessment, 25(4), 703–714. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072716665861

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leong, F. T., & Wong, P. T. (2003). Optimal human functioning from cross-cultural perspectives: Cultural competence as an organizing framework. In W. B. Walsh (Ed.), Counseling psychology and optimal human functioning (pp. 123–150). Lawrence Erlbaum Associate, Inc., Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Littman-Ovadia, H., & Lavy, S. (2012a). Character strengths in Israel: Hebrew adaptation of the VIA inventory of strengths. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 28, 41–50. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Littman-Ovadia, H., & Lavy, S. (2012b). Differential ratings and associations with Well-being of character strengths in two communities. Health Sociology Review, 21, 299–312. https://doi.org/10.5172/hesr.2012.21.3.299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Littman-Ovadia, H., & Lavy, S. (2016). Going the extra mile: Perseverance as a key character strength at work. Journal of Career Assessment, 24, 240–252. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072715580322

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Littman-Ovadia, H., & Steger, M. (2010). Character strengths and Well-being among volunteers and employees: Toward an integrative model. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 5, 419–430. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2010.516765

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., Shaver, P. R., & Slav, K. (2006). Attachment, mental representations of others, and gratitude and forgiveness in romantic relationships. In M. Mikulincer & G. S. Goodman (Eds.), Dynamics of romantic love: Attachment, caregiving, and sex (pp. 190–215). The Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norrish, J. M., Williams, P., O’Connor, M., & Robinson, J. (2013). An applied framework for positive education. International Journal of Wellbeing, 3, 147–161. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.v3i2.2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’hara, J., & McNamara, G. (2001). Process and product issues in the evaluation of school development planning. Evaluation, 7, 99–109. https://doi.org/10.1177/13563890122209540

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao, M. A., Donaldson, S. I., & Doiron, K. M. (2015). Positive psychology research in the Middle East and North Africa. Middle East Journal of Positive Psychology, 1, 60–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. (2011). Flourish: A new understanding of happiness and Wellbeingand how to achieve them. Nicholas Brealey Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E., Steen, T. A., Park, N., & Peterson, C. (2005). Positive psychology progress: Empirical validation of interventions. American Psychologist, 60, 410–421. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.60.5.410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Aviv, I. (2012). The pillars of strength for first-grade adjustment–Parental and children’s character strengths and the transition to elementary school. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 7(4), 315–326. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2012.691981

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Slone, M. (2013). Middle school transition from the strengths perspective: Young adolescents’ character strengths, subjective well-being, and school adjustment. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14(4), 1163–1181. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9374-y.pdf

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Steinmetz, S. (2014). Positive psychology at school: A school-based intervention to promote adolescents’ mental health and well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(6), 1289–1311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9476-1.pdf

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., Nakash, O., Zubida, H., & Harper, R. A. (2014). Mental health and engagement in risk behaviors among migrant adolescents in Israel: The protective functions of secure attachment, self-esteem, and perceived peer support. Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, 12(3), 233–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/15562948.2013.827769

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Eldor, L. (2016). The informal learning of teachers: Learning climate, job satisfaction and teachers’ and students’ motivation and Well-being. International Journal of Educational Research, 79, 52–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2016.06.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Guttmann-Steinmetz, S. (2014). Positive psychology at school: A school-based intervention to promote adolescents’ mental health and Well-being. The Journal of Happiness Studies, 15, 1289–1311. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-013-9476-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., Mifano, K., & Czamanski-Cohen, J. (2016a). The effects of the Make a Wish intervention on psychiatric symptoms and health-related quality of life of children with cancer: a randomised controlled trial. Quality of Life Research, 25(5), 1209–1218. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-015-1148-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., Steinmetz, S., & Kanat-Maymon, Y. (2016b). Effects of the Maytiv positive psychology school program on early adolescents’ well-being, engagement, and achievement. Journal of school psychology, 57, 73–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2016.05.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Russo-Netzer, P. (2017). Exploring and assessing meaning in life in elementary school children: Development and validation of the meaning in life in children questionnaire (MIL-CQ). Personality and Individual Differences, 104, 460–465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.09.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Slone, M. (2008a). Efficacy of clinical interventions for indirect exposure to terrorism. International Journal of Stress Management, 15, 53–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Slone, M. (2008b). The drama of media coverage of terrorism: Emotional and attitudinal impact on the audience. Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 31, 627–640. https://doi.org/10.1080/10576100802144064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoshani, A., & Slone, M. (2016). Through the looking glass: The role of ethnicity and affiliation in responses to terrorism in the media. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01911

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ÅžimÅŸek, Ö. F., & Yalınçetin, B. (2010). I feel unique, therefore I am: The development and preliminary validation of the personal sense of uniqueness (PSU) scale. Personality and Individual Differences, 49, 576–581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2010.05.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., & Shoshani, A. (2006a). Evaluation of preparatory measures for coping with anxiety raised by media coverage of terrorism. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53, 535–542. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.53.4.535

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., & Shoshani, A. (2006b). Feeling safe: An Israeli intervention program for helping children cope with exposure to political violence and terrorism. In J. Kuriansky (Ed.), Terror in the Holy Land (pp. 173–182). Praeger Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., & Shoshani, A. (2008a). Indirect victimization from terrorism: A proposed post-exposure intervention. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 30, 255–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., & Shoshani, A. (2008b). Efficacy of a school-based primary prevention program for coping with exposure to political violence. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 32, 348–358. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025408090976

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., & Shoshani, A. (2014a). Psychiatric effects of protracted conflict and political life events exposure among adolescents in Israel: 1998–2011. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 27, 353–360. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21918

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., & Shoshani, A. (2014b). The centrality of the school in a community during war and conflict. In R. Pat-Horenczyk, D. Brom, C. Chemtob, & J. Vogel (Eds.), Helping children cope with trauma: Individual family and community perspectives (pp. 180–192). Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., & Shoshani, A. (2017). Children affected by war and armed conflict: Parental protective factors and resistance to mental health symptoms. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1100. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., Shoshani, A., & Lobel, T. (2013). Helping youth immediately following war exposure: A randomized controlled trial of a school-based intervention program. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 34, 293–307. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-013-0314-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Slone, M., Shoshani, A., & Paltieli, T. (2009). Psychological consequences of forced evacuation on children: Risk and protective factors. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 22, 340–343. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.20433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steger, M. F., Littman-Ovadia, H., Miller, M., Menger, L., & Rothmann, S. (2013). Engaging in work even when it is meaningless: Positive affective disposition and meaningful work interact in relation to work engagement. Journal of Career Assessment, 21, 348–361. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072712471517

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, Herzliya, Israel

    Anat Shoshani & Mario Mikulincer

Authors
  1. Anat Shoshani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mario Mikulincer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anat Shoshani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Edward C. Chang

  2. Department of Psychology, Indiana University Kokomo, Kokomo, IN, USA

    Christina Downey

  3. Department of Psychology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang, China

    Hongfei Yang

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Ingo Zettler

  5. Department of Educational Sciences, Ä°zmir Democracy University, Ä°zmir, Turkey

    Mine Muyan-Yılık

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Shoshani, A., Mikulincer, M. (2022). Positive Psychology Research in Israel: Current Reality and Future Vision. In: Chang, E.C., Downey, C., Yang, H., Zettler, I., Muyan-Yılık, M. (eds) The International Handbook of Positive Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57354-6_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation