Effects of population changes on psychological and physiological strain in kibbutz communities

The present study was directed toward determining the health implications of population policies followed by collective rural communities (kibbutzim) in Israel. It was hypothesized that, controlling for kibbutz longevity, higher rates of out-migration and/or lower rates of in-migration and population growth are associated with subsequent increases in psychological and physiological strain among kibbutz members. The hypothesis was tested by interrelating different sets of data on kibbutz communities, collected at two research centers. Data were subjected to both individual and ecological correlational analyses. At both levels, inconsistent patterns of relationships between demographic characteristics and strain were obtained. The consistent cross-level findings which were significant were contradictory to our hypothesis. Our results suggest that while demographic changes do appear to have some impact on subsequent affective strain among kibbutz members, their detrimental effect is rather weak and is probably mediated by small-group processes, such as peer social support, and by the adequacy of the individual's coping resources.