Israeli Jews and Arabs: Similarities and differences in the utilization of social support

Israeli Jews and Arabs live in one country with surprisingly little knowledge of each other. Representative samples of the Israeli Jewish (n = 485) and Arab (n = 384) populations responded to a questionnaire regarding the importance and availability of different social support functions, the quality of different social relationships, and to whom they would turn with different problems. Results show that despite similarity in the value attributed to the different support functions, there were consistent differences in the perceived availability and utilization of support. Israeli Arabs were less likely to discuss emotional problems or use professional help and more likely to use familial help. Israeli Jews were more likely to turn to a spouse, a friend, a professional, and a superior. These findings have theoretical and practical significance.