Demographic and Personality Variable Characteristics of High School Students who Participate in Preparation Courses Towards Service in the Israel Defence Forces

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Abstract
Competition among teenagers who wish to serve in elite combat units of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has been constantly increasing. This competition has created a demand for preparation courses towards service in the IDF. Participation in these courses demands considerable personal commitment, in addition to the commitment to study for final high school diploma exams. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of teenagers who choose to participate in these preparation courses, in terms of demographic background and personality traits. They hypothesis was that teenagers who volunteered to participate in preparation courses will not differ in their demographic characteristics from those who chose not to participate. It was also hypothesised that those who chose to participate in preparation courses will have higher self‐discipline, a more positive self concept and body image, with a more stable and extrovert personality. This study included 221 high school students who participated in the preparation courses (the PC group) and 154 students from the same classes who chose not to participate in such courses (the NPC group) as expected. No differences were found between the groups in terms of their demographic and social background (such as country of origin of parents, their education and type of school they attended). As expected subjects in the PC group stood out in their desire to serve in elite army combat units and in their willingness to participate in training activities that will enhance their physical fitness. It was further found that the parents of the PC group members objected less to their sons volunteering to serve in elite units than those of the NPC group. Differences were found between the groups in terms of personality traits. In competition to the NPC group, the PC group members were found to have higher self‐discipline, a more positive general self‐concept, a more positive body image, and a more stable and extrovert personality. The findings agree with what was previously described as personality traits of athletes and physically active people.

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