Purpose This study aims to explore the effects of low differentiation of self (DoS) and exposure to inter-parental conflicts during childhood on levels of aggression in adulthood, with psychological distress – particularly trait anxiety – serving as a mediating factor. The sample included 529 participants aged 18–40, comprising two distinct cultural groups: Jews and Arabs. Of the participants, 294 were Arab and 384 were women. The results provided partial support for the proposed mediation model, revealing cultural and gender-related variations. Notably, for Jewish participants, inter-parental conflicts were not associated with aggression through the mediation of trait anxiety. Furthermore, trait anxiety had a stronger predictive effect on aggression among men than women, suggesting a gender-specific pattern in the anxiety–aggression linkage. Overall, the findings suggest that aggression in adult offspring is shaped by an interplay of cultural, familial and psychological factors. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study used an online self-report survey to assess the mediating role of trait anxiety in the relationship between DoS, exposure to inter-parental conflict and aggression. Participants were 529 adults (aged 18–40) from Jewish and Arab populations in Israel. Validated questionnaires were translated into Hebrew and Arabic using a back-translation process. Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square tests, MANCOVA, ANCOVA and moderated mediation models using the PROCESS macro in SPSS. Gender was examined as a moderator, and age and parental marital status were included as covariates. Ethical approval was obtained, and participation was anonymous and voluntary. Findings Significant ethnic and gender differences were observed in DoS, inter-parental conflict, trait anxiety and aggression. Arab participants reported higher emotional cutoff, fusion with others and aggression than Jews. Trait anxiety levels varied by gender and ethnicity, with Arab men showing the highest anxiety. Mediation-moderation analyses revealed that among Jews, trait anxiety mediated the link between I-position and aggression only in men, while for Arabs, trait anxiety mediated most predictors for both genders, but more strongly for men. Inter-parental conflict predicted aggression in both groups, but only mediated through anxiety among Arabs. Gender moderated anxiety’s impact on aggression. Research limitations/implications The study has several limitations. First, it was conducted in Israel, focusing on Jewish and Arab participants, limiting generalizability to other cultures. Second, the reliance on retrospective reports of childhood inter-parental conflict may introduce memory bias. Participants’ recollections could be influenced by current emotional states or selective memory, potentially affecting the accuracy of the reported associations. Third, the use of convenience sampling via social networks may limit the generalizability of the findings, as participants who are active on these platforms might not fully represent the broader population. Fourth, there is a notable gender imbalance in the sample, with 72.6% of participants being female. Practical implications The study suggests practical implications, emphasizing the need for family counseling and educational programs focused on conflict resolution, healthier coping and enhancing DoS. Tailored interventions by gender and ethnicity, especially in anxiety management, are recommended. Considering family dynamics and cultural context is crucial in mitigating aggression linked to DoS, inter-parental conflict and anxiety. Lastly, training programs for Jewish and Arab communities in Israel are advised. Social implications This study highlights the critical role of family dynamics and emotional functioning in shaping aggression among young adults in diverse cultural contexts. By revealing how DoS, inter-parental conflict and anxiety contribute to aggression differently across gender and ethnicity, the findings underscore the importance of culturally sensitive interventions. The study advocates for family counseling, psychoeducation on conflict resolution, and anxiety management, particularly among Arab and Jewish populations in Israel. These insights can inform public health policies, educational curricula and community outreach programs aimed at fostering emotional resilience and reducing interpersonal violence across communities. Originality/value This study uniquely integrates individual, familial and sociocultural factors to explain aggression among young adults, offering a mediation-moderation model rarely applied across distinct ethnic groups. By comparing Jewish and Arab populations in Israel, it highlights culturally specific pathways to aggression, including the moderating role of gender. The use of validated tools in both Hebrew and Arabic adds methodological rigor and inclusivity. The study’s value lies in its practical implications for tailoring interventions to different cultural contexts, and its contribution to the understanding of emotional functioning and intergenerational influences on aggression in diverse societies.

Purpose Passive aggression, defined as harming others through indirect means rather than directly expressing anger or other negative emotions, has substantial effects on personal and social relationships. This study aims to adapt the passive aggression scale (PAS), originally developed by Lim and Suh, into Turkish and to evaluate its validity and reliability. By offering a culturally adapted tool, this study seeks to facilitate research and intervention efforts addressing passive-aggressive behaviours in the Turkish context. Design/methodology/approach The study sample consisted of 429 participants (326 females, 103 males). Construct validity was examined through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), which confirmed the three-factor structure: inducing criticism, avoiding/ignoring and sabotaging. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω coefficients. Concurrent validity was tested via correlations with the trait anger (T-Anger) and anger expression scales (AngerES). Findings The CFA results supported the original three-factor model of the PAS. Both Cronbach’s α and McDonald’s ω coefficients indicated high internal consistency. Significant correlations were found between PAS scores and measures of trait anger and anger expression, in line with theoretical expectations. These findings demonstrate that the Turkish PAS is a reliable and valid measure of passive aggression. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides the first Turkish adaptation of the PAS, supported by strong psychometric evidence. The instrument can be used in research and clinical practice to identify passive-aggressive tendencies, enabling timely interventions. Its application may contribute to public mental health by improving the understanding, prevention and management of passive-aggressive behaviours in Turkish society.

Purpose This study aims to examine whether critical thinking (CT), assessed using the critical reasoning assessment (CRA) as a performance-based measure and the critical thinking attitude (CTA) as a dispositional measure, relates to dysfunctional beliefs, peace attitudes and psychological well-being in 354 Italian university students. The study also explored mediating mechanisms linking CT, peace orientations and well-being. Design/methodology/approach Participants completed CRA, CTA and measures of dysfunctional beliefs, peace attitudes and well-being. Confirmatory factor analyses verified construct distinctiveness. Structural equation modeling tested associations among CT, peace attitudes, dysfunctional beliefs and well-being, and mediation analyses evaluated whether beliefs and peace orientations explained the CT–well-being link. Findings Both performance-based and dispositional CT positively predicted peace attitudes and well-being, and negatively predicted dysfunctional beliefs. Mediation analyses indicated that lower dysfunctional beliefs and stronger peace orientations partially explained CT’s link to well-being. Alternative models fit comparably well, precluding causal interpretations. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional design limits causal inference, and the sample restricts generalizability. Future research should use longitudinal or experimental designs and more diverse populations to clarify mechanisms. Findings highlight that CT, particularly as a reflective disposition, interacts with beliefs and social context to promote prosocial attitudes and psychological wellbeing. Practical implications Fostering CT dispositions can enhance peace attitudes and well-being. Educational programs promoting reflective judgment, open-minded reasoning and cooperation may reduce dysfunctional beliefs and support prosocial behavior. Integrating CT training with social-emotional development can advance individual well-being and promote harmonious social interactions. Originality/value This study uniquely integrates performance-based and dispositional measures of critical thinking to examine their associations with peace attitudes and psychological well-being, extending CT research beyond cognitive performance to prosocial and flourishing outcomes. By exploring dysfunctional beliefs as a potential mediator, the study highlights mechanisms linking reflective reasoning to peace-oriented behavior. Unlike prior work, it considers CT as a value-neutral capacity that can foster prosocial attitudes while remaining strategically applicable in competitive contexts. The findings provide novel insights for education and intervention design, suggesting that cultivating critical thinking dispositions can contribute to individual flourishing and the promotion of peace.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to illustrate the relevance of EMDR to the treatment of PTSD in recently divided societies. The mental health of people in the military context can be significantly affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), both during and after a conflict or war. The authors decided to concentrate on the application of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing to the treatment of PTSD in the military context of Cyprus. After second word war, Cyprus is the only EU country to have been invaded. Thus, the divided, very small Mediterranean country is a case study with a unique context for studying PTSD because it remains occupied and a large part of the population have been affected by the conflict. Because of the island’s division and ongoing conflict, PTSD is a personal and collective issue within a particularly social, political and sociopsychological context. Design/methodology/approach The analysis draws from an extended secondary research review of existing literature on PTSD treatment with a clear focus on eye-movement desensitization therapy’s (EMDR) potential in military settings and synthesizing evidence for conflict-affected individuals in Cyprus, considering the country’s unique challenges. It further indirectly draws from analysis of previously collected empirical data that highlighted the need for addressing the collective and individual trauma experienced both by military personnel and civilians in conflict-affected regions. Findings While EMDR has been widely recognized as an effective intervention for PTSD, its implementation in military settings presents unique challenges, particularly in post-conflict societies with ongoing military presence and deeply embedded trauma. The review highlighted the complexities of PTSD in both military personnel and civilians affected by war, emphasizing the intergenerational transmission of trauma and the socio-political barriers to mental health care. Additionally, factors such as stigma, military culture, logistical constraints and trauma typology were identified as key mediators influencing treatment effectiveness. Given the specific military context of Cyprus, where military service remains mandatory and geopolitical tensions persist, the need for tailored interventions such as EMDR is particularly pressing. To address these challenges, this study developed the contextualized dual attention model (CDAM), which integrates core EMDR mechanisms with military-specific factors to enhance its effectiveness in treating PTSD within this unique setting. Furthermore, a set of policy recommendations was proposed to improve access to EMDR, overcome structural and cultural barriers and promote trauma-informed care in both military and civilian populations. Originality/value This study developed the CDAM, which integrates core EMDR mechanisms with military-specific factors to enhance its effectiveness in treating PTSD within this unique setting. Furthermore, a set of policy recommendations was proposed to improve access to EMDR, overcome structural and cultural barriers and promote trauma-informed care in both military and civilian populations. By advancing this model and implementing targeted policy measures, EMDR can be optimized as a viable treatment option for PTSD in Cyprus and other conflict-affected regions.

Purpose This study aims to examine how the disputing spouses (husband and wife) perceive and represent themselves and each other in their narratives of protracted conflictual divorce. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative longitudinal research strategy in the form of a case study. The participants were a legally married couple (husband and wife) who had been undergoing the divorce process for two years at the time of the study. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using narrative positioning analysis. Findings At the beginning of his narrative, the husband positions himself as a people-pleaser in his relationship with his wife, but by the end, he sees himself as a fighter, defending himself against an aggressor (his wife). Meanwhile, the wife initially perceives herself as an independent woman, and by the end of her story, she views herself as even stronger and financially stable, capable of providing for both her and her children. At the beginning of the story, the husband positions his wife as the woman who has fulfilled all his dreams; at the end of the story, he positions her as the aggressor who tries to take away his property and children. The wife positions her husband as someone who wants to be above her and harm her in every possible way. The findings reveal that although both spouses try to understand their own contributions to the situation, they continue to perceive each other through a lens distorted by defense mechanisms. Research limitations/implications The results of this study are not generalizable due to methodological limitations and a small sample size. However, it provides a deeper insight into how both spouses perceive themselves and each other during a prolonged, high-conflict divorce before the legal dissolution of marriage. Practical implications It is crucial for professionals working with families to recognize how dynamics such as splitting and projection emerge during a high-conflict divorce, as these mechanisms can hinder any possibility of conflict resolution. It is essential for specialists not only to support everyone’s innate resilience and sense of self but also to ensure that personal beliefs, values and attitudes do not become so dominant that they hardly give space to other people’s perspectives. Social implications Given that divorcees are important sources of information for changes in policy and practice, knowing about their experiences can help improve the resources and assistance available to them and their children. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies that is focused on what is representation of self and other of both parties in the context of protracted conflictual divorce.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of two public safety interventions implemented in Pernambuco, Brazil – banning alcohol sales and restricting organized fan groups (torcidas organizadas) inside football stadiums. A novel methodology for constructing time scenarios and assessing contradictory dilemmas is proposed to support the effective implementation of public sanctions and justice policy on crowd control and sport-related violence. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a three-step time scenario methodology using autoregressive moving average models with regressors and hypothesis tests to predict the past under a counterfactual condition – estimating what would have occurred without the intervention. The analysis covers over a decade of match-day violence data, allowing for a robust evaluation of each policy’s contribution. Findings Results show that both the alcohol ban and the prohibition of organized fan groups had no statistically significant effect on reducing violent behavior around football stadiums. The ineffectiveness of the gang restriction is largely attributed to weak enforcement practices, such as reliance on visual identification through fan apparel. Similarly, the alcohol ban’s impact may have been undermined by other endogenous or exogenous determinants. Practical implications The findings suggest that legal interventions alone – particularly those lacking rigorous enforcement mechanisms – may not effectively curb football-related violence. Policymakers and law enforcement agencies should reconsider blanket bans and instead focus on integrated strategies that include spatial policing, community engagement, targeted intelligence on high-risk groups and the effects of other determinants of violent behavior in young sport spectators. Originality/value This study offers a novel construction and application of time scenario analysis to the context of sport-related violence and criminal justice interventions, expanding traditional approaches to policy evaluation. Modeling counterfactual outcomes in the past rather than the future provides a unique empirical lens for assessing the real impact of interventions where randomized control is unfeasible. The dual assessment of alcohol bans and fan club restrictions within a single analytical framework contributes original evidence to an ongoing debate in both academic and policy circles about how best to address crowd violence in football cultures.

Purpose This paper explores German artist Willy Jaeckel’s representations of the soldier as a victim of war within the context of German visual culture of the First World War. The paper draws attention to Jaeckel’s groundbreaking role within the German avant-garde, where he was among those earliest voices that actively challenged the morale-preserving, even jingoistic images of the war, which promoted a narrow dialogue of both the modern front experience and the human ability to endure it. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on careful examination of German wartime and postwar art and visual culture, to include art exhibited in galleries, artists’ periodicals and popular print media. Jaeckel’s wartime letters and contemporary critical reviews were consulted to provide insight to the artist’s intentions and the works’ reception respectively, while the position of Jaeckel’s images of soldiers among the war-related work of Germany’s revolutionary avant-garde is also considered. Findings Jaeckel’s work is shown to be among the very earliest and most unique of the entire war in its singular focus on the suffering of soldiers. Within the sociopolitical and artistic environment in Germany during the war years, it was courageous – and remains relevant – in its contestation of the popular image of the front experience, which worked to conceal the shattering impact of the war on soldiers’ bodies and minds. Originality/value In addition to drawing attention to the artist’s pivotal role in challenging the dominant language of wartime art, the paper addresses significant lacunae in Jaeckel scholarship, including analysis of the artist’s important body of works for the high-quality wartime arts periodicals Der Front (virtually absent from the literature), Kriegszeit and Krieg und Kunst, as well as critical responses to the exhibition of his confrontational portfolio of lithographs Memento 1914/15 and the major war picture Sturmangriff.