Bullying Victimization and Use of Substances in High School: Does Religiosity Moderate the Association?

Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use continue to pose serious public health concerns among youth. Bullying victimization has been identified as a risk factor and religiosity a protective factor for adolescent substance use. No previous research has examined the potential moderating role of religiosity. We explore the association between bullying victimization and substance use in adolescents with low and high levels of religiosity. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a representative sample of high school students in greater Beirut. Binary and multinomial logistic models were used, adjusting for demographics, and stratified by level of religiosity. Of the 986 students responding to the survey, 65% were females; 48% had experienced some form of bullying; and 52% self-rated as low in religiosity. Between 10 and 30% were current users of alcohol or tobacco. Students of lower religiosity levels who had been bullied were more likely to use substances than those who self-rated as high religiosity. Religiosity may be a potential moderator of the association between being bullied and substance use, but the exact mechanisms and underlying reasons need further investigation.

     

Causes of road accidents as perceived by Arabs in Israel: A qualitative study

To investigate beliefs and attitudes of Arabs in Israel regarding causes of road accidents, 12 focus groups were conducted with a total of 104 adult Israeli Arabs. Participants reported major differences between Arab and Jewish towns and villages in terms of individual driving behaviors, social norms of driving, infrastructure, and traffic enforcement. Discrimination was perceived as an indirect cause of traffic accidents, expressed mainly in lower investment in infrastructure and traffic enforcement in Arab villages. Arabs’ defiance of state authorities and low socio-economic status were also perceived as a cause of unsafe driving. A grounded theory model based on the socio-ecological model was developed to explain these factors. Prevention of unsafe driving behaviors in Arab villages and towns requires a socio-ecological approach combining various strategies at multiple levels.