[Return to Germany--personal motive and markers of the subjective life space of Jewish emigrants].

Abstract

120 Jewish people who were forced to emigrate from Germany to Israel or Argentinia during the "Third Reich" were interviewed. Interviews dealt with the psychic situation; additionally, scales were applied for measurement of morale, attitudes towards the present situation and the future, and perceived changeability of the situation. The group of emigrants was divided into two subgroups: Emigrants who stayed in foreign countries, and emigrants who returned to Germany in old age. The emigrants were compared with a control-group of german people who were not discriminated against and persecuted, and who were not forced to emigrate. Significant differences between the two groups were found: The emigrants showed a higher degree of perceived changeability and a more positive life-review. Perceived stress and activity in different intra- and extrafamilial roles were higher. Emigrants who had gone back to Germany showed a higher degree of perceived changeability and a lower degree of sorrow concerning personal future than emigrants who stayed in Israel or Argentinia. Perceived stress in extrafamilial roles was higher. Additionally, motives for going back to Germany and for staying in Israel or Argentinia were analyzed.