Study Finds Higher Depression and Stress Among Israeli Teens Evacuated During Iron Swords War

A recent study conducted by the University of Haifa and published in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology reveals that Israeli teenagers evacuated from their homes during the Iron Swords war exhibit significantly higher levels of depression and stress compared to peers who remained in their homes despite ongoing security threats. The research involved 198 adolescents aged 14 to 18, surveyed between February and May 2024, four to eight months after the war began. Half of the participants were evacuated from communities near the Gaza Strip and northern borders, while the other half stayed in their homes but lived under continuous threat of attacks.

The study found that although both groups showed elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress relative to normal levels, the evacuated teens reported notably higher depression and stress levels. Anxiety levels did not differ significantly between the groups. Researchers suggest that the evacuation itself, which entails leaving home, disrupting routines, and enduring uncertainty, contributes additional emotional distress beyond the impact of living under threat.

Furthermore, evacuated youths struggled more with emotional regulation and coping with uncertainty, factors linked to their increased psychological distress. Professor Noam Weinbach, a lead researcher from the University of Haifa’s Psychology Department, emphasized that while evacuation reduces immediate physical danger, it also imposes emotional challenges that require targeted support. The study highlights the importance of addressing not only depression and stress symptoms but also enhancing coping mechanisms for difficult emotions and ongoing uncertainty in interventions for evacuated adolescents.

The findings aim to inform mental health responses for young people displaced during conflicts, ensuring they receive comprehensive care during and after evacuation periods.