Contribution of social support and partner communication quality to mental health among combatants’ partners

This study investigated the relationship between social support and communication quality among combatants and their partners, and the partners' mental health during Israel's Swords of Iron War against Hamas. Mental health was assessed through emotional, social, and psychological dimensions. Communication quality was evaluated by assessing both positive and negative aspects of electronic and face-to-face channels. The sample included 201 women in various relationship statuses with men who were recruited as combatants: married, cohabiting, and in a stable relationship. Most women reported positive electronic and face-to-face communication with their partners during the war. Nonetheless, nearly 20% mentioned an increase in the negative aspects of face-to-face communication compared to pre-war conditions. Negative communication correlated with poorer psychological health. No direct link was found between positive communication and mental health. However, an indirect relationship was observed, with perceived social support serving as a mediator. The psychological dimension ranked highest among the mental health dimensions, followed by the social dimension, with the lowest ranking found for the emotional dimension.