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AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print Aug 29, 2007
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©
American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2006.090514

Research and Practice

Exposure to Terrorism and Israeli Youths’ Cigarette, Alcohol, and Cannabis Use

Miriam Schiff 1, Hillah Haim Zweig 2, Rami Benbenishty 2, Deborah S. Hasin 3*

1 Hebrew University Jerusalem Israel
2 Hebrew University School of Social Work and Social Welfare
3 Columbia University School of Public Health and College of Physicians and Surgeons; NYSPI

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: dsh2{at}columbia.edu.


  Abstract

Objectives. We investigated the consequences of exposure to acts of terrorism among Israeli adolescents. We examined whether exposure to terrorism predicted adolescents’ use of cigarettes, alcohol (including binge drinking), and cannabis after we controlled for posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms and background variables.

Methods. Anonymous self-administered questionnaires were given to a random sample of 960 10th and 11th grade students (51.6% boys, 48.4% girls) in a large city in northern Israel.

Results. Close physical exposure to acts of terrorism predicted higher levels of alcohol consumption (including binge drinking among drinkers) and cannabis use. These relationships remained even after we controlled for posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions. In addition to posttraumatic stress symptoms, negative consequences of terrorism exposure among adolescents included substance abuse. The similarity between our findings among Israeli adolescents and previous findings among US adults suggests cross-cultural generalizability. Given the risks for later problems from early-onset substance abuse, the consequences of terrorism exposure among adolescents merit greater research and clinical attention.

Key Words: Adolescent Health, School Health, Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco




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D. S. Hasin, K. M. Keyes, M. L. Hatzenbuehler, E. A. Aharonovich, and D. Alderson
Alcohol Consumption and Posttraumatic Stress After Exposure to Terrorism: Effects of Proximity, Loss, and Psychiatric History
Am J Public Health, December 1, 2007; 97(12): 2268 - 2275.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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