The Interplay of Personal and Collective Resilience and Mental Health During Prolonged Conflict: Insights From Young Adults in Israel

In this study we employed a repeated cross-sectional design to examine mental health among young adults in Israel using samples collected before and after the October 7^th attacks and subsequent war, with a focus on resilience resources, coping strategies, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Additionally, we explored risk and protective factors associated with PTSD symptoms separately for each sample. Data were gathered from two online surveys conducted pre- and post-October 7th, encompassing 2131 young adults aged 18-24. Findings revealed a significantly higher rate of PTSD in the post-October 7^th sample (43.3%) compared to the pre-October 7^th sample (25.2%). In addition, the post-October 7^th sample reported lower levels of resilience resources and social support, along with a greater reliance on emotional coping strategies. PTSD symptom severity was also significantly higher in the post-October 7^th sample. Perceived threat emerged as a key risk factor, whereas social support and personal resilience acted as protective factors. Emotional coping strategies such as self-blame and avoidance were found to exacerbate PTSD symptoms. Post-attack predictors of PTSD symptoms included direct exposure to the injury or death of loved ones and internal displacement. These findings underscore the vital role of personal resilience and social support in mitigating the mental health effects of severe trauma. Furthermore, the study highlights the nuanced relationship between coping strategies and mental health, emphasising that commonly employed strategies may not always protect against severe stress. Identifying effective resources for recovery in the context of prolonged and intense threat is essential for informing intervention efforts.