Impact of culture on children's community participation in Israel

OBJECTIVE. This study compared the participation in activities outside of formal school among Jewish and Druze Israeli children. It also examined the impact of gender and the interaction of culture and gender on participation. METHODS. Participants included 30 Jewish and 30 Druze children ages 8-10 years, who completed the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE). RESULTS. On most of the scales measured, the Jewish children showed a significantly higher participation level than the Druze children, and the Druze children performed more activities alone. The Jewish children demonstrated a higher enjoyment level than the Druze children on half of the scales. Some scales revealed higher participation by girls than by boys as well as a significant cultural group by gender interaction. CONCLUSION. Culture may have an impact on children's level of participation in the community. The CAPE was found to be a sensitive tool in elucidating differences between the Druze and Jewish children in community participation.