ABSTRACT
One of the major sources of strain to which immigrants were subject during their first year in Israel was the extremely widespread unemployment. This chapter discusses a concept—the comparative reference group—which plays a role in mediating strain. The major exceptions are immigrants who have been in Israel for a short time—fewer than six months—and who are not noticeably depressed by unemployment. The question of comparative reference groups, employment, and morale was further explored using the transit camp setting as an ecological reference group. When the transit camps were divided into those with high employment and those with low employment, it was found that immigrants do refer to the employment norm of the camp in which they are living to set their own level of morale. Highest morale was found among employed immigrants in transit camps with relatively low employment; the lowest morale was found among unemployed immigrants in camps with relatively high rates of employment.
