Homicide in Israel: Its Relation to Subjective Stress and Support Indicators on the Macro Level

This study investigated the relationship between the subjective perception of stress and support (as independent variables) and the prevalence of homicide. The theoretical framework is provided by a model that postulates homicide as positively related to stress factors and negatively related to support systems. The 11 stress indicators and three support (solidarity) indicators were derived from surveys of Israel's urban population. Monthly data for the period September 1979 to December 1993 were analyzed. The model received partial support regarding stress indicators and substantial support regarding solidarity indicators. A comparison between this study and a previous one (from June 1967 to August 1979) reveals that economic stress has the most permanent and consistent effect over time on homicide. The effect of social solidarity on homicide is stable over time but changes in intensity. The effects of political and security-related stress on homicide were found to be inconsistent over time.