The changing role of family in utilization of social support: Views from Israeli Jewish and Arab students

Recent studies in Israel revealed that Arab students were more stressed than their Jewish counterparts. In light of these findings, the present study examines support functions and the utilization of social support among israeli Jewish and Arab students. The study used a convenience sample of university students (127 Jews and 64 Arabs) in two of the major universities In Israel Both samples are similar in their utilization of partners and best friends as primary sources of support in relation to emotional problems. However, contrary to the authors' expectations, Jewish students utilize parental figures as sources of instrumental support more than their Arab counterparts, in addition, respondents from both samples assert that of all support functions, emotional support is the most Important one. However, Jewish students reported significantly higher scores regarding the fulfillment of this function. The significance of these findings is discussed within the frameworks of modernization processes, help-seeking behavior, and practical implications for social work education with minority students learning in a cultural environment markedly different from their own.