Israeli Mental Health: More Anxiety, More Hope During Crises

A study from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev reveals that Israelis experienced significantly higher levels of anxiety during the October 7th war compared to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the research also found a greater sense of hope during the war period.

The study, led by Professors Tahila Calaji, Orna Braun-Levinson, and Sarah Abu-Kaf, surveyed 1,025 adult Jewish Israelis. Participants were divided into two groups: 421 were assessed in September 2020 during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and 604 were assessed in January 2024, three months after the outbreak of the October 7th war.

Researchers examined symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and somatization, alongside coping resources such as hope, coherence, and community resilience. The findings underscore the need for mental health responses tailored to the specific nature of a crisis, as health crises and wars can elicit different patterns of anxiety and uncertainty.

The study highlighted that hope was significantly linked to lower levels of psychological distress. In contrast, community resilience showed a weaker or moderate connection to personal distress and was not found to be an independent predictor of distress in statistical analysis. This suggests that personal resources, including the ability to comprehend reality, feel capable of coping, and maintain hope, are crucial in managing crisis situations.

The researchers emphasized the necessity of developing interventions to strengthen coherence and hope, creating tailored support for young people and women, and integrating personal and community support. They also called for flexible mental health services that can adapt to the evolving nature of crises, stating that such adaptability is essential.