NARRATIVES OF WARTIME VOLUNTEERING AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN ISRAEL
2024

Wartime Volunteering Narratives Among Older Adults in Israel

Sample size: 23 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sun Peter, Ayalon Liat

Primary Institution: Bar-Ilan University

Hypothesis

The research aimed to explore the representation and rhetoric of older adult volunteers in the Israeli media during Operation Swords of Iron.

Conclusion

The study found that older adult volunteers were portrayed as heroic and self-sacrificial, highlighting both positive and negative sentiments associated with their roles.

Supporting Evidence

  • Older adult volunteers were depicted as heroic and self-sacrificial amid the risks of war.
  • The study identified three main themes in the narratives of older adult volunteers.
  • Sentiment analysis revealed both positive and negative feelings associated with older adult volunteering.

Takeaway

This study looked at how older adults who volunteer during war are talked about in the news, showing that they are often seen as heroes but also face challenges.

Methodology

Thematic analysis of 23 articles from four Israeli newspapers and sentiment analysis using a lexicon of semantic orientations.

Potential Biases

Potential bias in the selection of articles and the interpretation of sentiments.

Limitations

The research is limited to English-language articles and may not capture the full scope of older adult volunteering narratives.

Participant Demographics

Older adult volunteers in Israel.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3870

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