Predictors of aggression among Palestinians in Israel and Gaza: Happiness, need to belong, and self-control

The present study examined a strong need for belonging (sensitivity to social rejection) as a risk factor and happiness and self-control skills as protective factors in predicting peer-directed aggression among 292 Israeli Palestinian Arab adolescents and 398 Gazan Palestinian Arab adolescents of similar ages (mean ~ 14 years). Findings demonstrated that the two Palestinian groups showed similar aggression rates, but Israeli Palestinians revealed higher self-control, higher happiness, and higher need for belonging than their Gazan peers. Moreover, each of the three predictors, separately, was significantly linked to aggression for the Israelis but not for the Gazans. Possible explanations are discussed related to sex, cultural differences, and life conditions.

► Israeli and Gazan Palestinian adolescents participated in the study. ► Happiness and need for belonging examined as risk factors in predicting aggression ► Self-control skills examined as a protective factor in predicting aggression ► The two Palestinian groups showed similar aggression rates. ► Israeli group revealed higher risk factors and protective factor than the Gazan.