Building adolescent resilience: Teacher-student social network communication in times of political violence (in Hebrew)

Citation:

Rosenberg, H., Ophir, Y., & Asterhan, C. S. C. (2017). Building adolescent resilience: Teacher-student social network communication in times of political violence (in Hebrew). In Breaking down barriers? Teachers, students and social network sites . Tel Aviv: MOFET books.
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Abstract:

In this multi-method study, we examined the extent and nature of teacher-student communication on Social Network Sites (SNS) during the 2014 Israel-Gaza war, from students and teachers point of view. Corresponding with the literature on adolescent SNS usage, participants in the current sample were found to be frequent users of SNS. During the war, a time of major stress, this extensive usage even increased further. The first step of the study indicated a large scope of teacher-student communication in times of war. Based on student reports, we found that more than half of the adolescent participants communicate with their teachers via SNSs during the war (mainly through WhatsApp); and that the main purpose of this communication was to lend and receive emotional support. Moreover, the majority of participating adolescents expressed their appreciation of this communication and believed it to be helpful. From the students’ point of view, the study revealed five distinct themes of emotional support on SNS during the war: caring, reassuring, emotional sharing, belonging, and distracting. From the teachers’ point of view, it was evident that teachers: (a) recognize their central psychosocial role in times of war and appreciate the opportunities that arise from SNS communication to deliver emotional support to their students, (b) dedicate their efforts to monitor distress through SNS, and (c) maintain norms of civilized and sensitive discourse. Techers also engage among themselves in moral discussions regarding the advantages and risks of SNS communication with students. The implications of these findings may include the creation of specialized training program for teachers, which will support their efforts in times of crisis.

Last updated on 09/16/2017