New Study Reveals Significant Mental and Physical Toll on Israeli Women Post-October 7th
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
A new study by NATAL reveals that 55% of Israeli women reported a decline in their mental health since the October 7th attacks, compared to 31% of men. The research also found that 24% of couples where both partners served in the reserves experienced physical or sexual violence. The study highlights the significant mental and physical toll on women, particularly mothers of soldiers and displaced women, and calls for tailored support.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 55% of Israeli women reported worsening mental health post-October 7th, versus 31% of men.
- 24% of couples with both partners in reserves reported physical or sexual violence.
- Women were nearly twice as likely as men to develop PTSD and depression.
- Mothers of soldiers showed higher rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
- Displaced women with families saw a 136% rise in sleeping pill use.
A new study by the NATAL organization for victims of terror and war, released three years after the October 7th attacks, highlights the profound impact of the war on women across various life roles in Israel. The research indicates that 55% of women reported a worsening of their mental state since the war began, compared to 31% of men. Furthermore, women were nearly twice as likely as men to develop PTSD and depression.
The study, which draws on data from Israel and abroad, administrative records, and self-reports from women seeking assistance from NATAL, also found that 62% of women experienced cumulative exhaustion and sleep difficulties. The findings underscore a disconnect between outward functioning and internal distress, suggesting that daily perseverance may often be a survival strategy rather than a sign of resilience.
Specific groups of women faced heightened challenges. Mothers of conscripted soldiers reported significantly poorer physical health (47.4%) compared to mothers with no conscripted children (25.8%). These mothers also exhibited higher levels of PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms than partners of soldiers and fathers of soldiers.
Family life also bore significant costs. Among displaced women with families, there was a 136% increase in sleeping pill usage and 38.5% reported regular use of tranquilizers. In couples where both partners served in the military reserves, 24% reported experiencing physical or sexual violence, a stark contrast to the 3% reported in couples where neither partner served in the reserves.
Gilad Nussbaum, CEO of NATAL, stated that the national challenge is not just survival but enabling people to return to life, emphasizing the need for tailored support for women and the unique burdens they carry. NATAL has developed specialized responses to meet the growing demand for assistance.
